softly

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   In a quiet way; not loudly.

   She whispered softly in his ear.

2. 2
   adv

   In a gentle way; without force.

   He stroked the cat softly until it fell asleep.

Common collocations

• laugh softly Verb + adverb

From Middle English softely, softeliche, equivalent to soft + -ly.

Topics

External links

• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary
• Google Images