US /ˈsɔftli/ UK /ˈsɒftli/
adv Freq #3615

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.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 adv · in a quiet way; not loudly. quietly
2 adv · in a gentle way; without... lightly
Word family
Derived forms tread-softly

Etymology

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

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