Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • In a soft manner.
  • Gently; slowly; calmly; quietly; hence, at an easy pace: as, to lay a thing down softly.
  • Mildly; tenderly.
  • Slackly; carelessly.
  • Soft; easy; gentle; slow.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adverb In a soft manner.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb In a soft manner; gently.
  • adverb Not loudly; nearly inaudible.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adverb with low volume
  • adverb used as a direction in music; to be played relatively softly
  • adverb in a manner that is pleasing to the senses
  • adverb with little weight or force

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

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

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Examples

  • Finally he did, covering her body with his own, saying her name softly as he slipped inside her.

    Law of Attraction Allison Leotta 2010

  • Finally he did, covering her body with his own, saying her name softly as he slipped inside her.

    Law of Attraction Allison Leotta 2010

  • Finally he did, covering her body with his own, saying her name softly as he slipped inside her.

    Law of Attraction Allison Leotta 2010

  • She called out my name softly as if I could have missed seeing her standing there.

    Midnight Sister Souljah 2008

  • Matt heard his name softly spoken, and he turned to find Sara and Zack beside him.

    Soulless Christopher Golden 2008

  • Matt heard his name softly spoken, and he turned to find Sara and Zack beside him.

    Soulless Christopher Golden 2008

  • Matt heard his name softly spoken, and he turned to find Sara and Zack beside him.

    Soulless Christopher Golden 2008

  • She dropped the title softly down to the water below, and started at the echo of her own trembling voice.

    The Royal Pawn of Venice A Romance of Cyprus Lawrence Turnbull

  • Murmuring his name softly, she shifted onto her back, encouraging Max to slide up over her, parting her lips to welcome his kisses.

    Captured by Moonlight Nancy Gideon 2010

  • Murmuring his name softly, she shifted onto her back, encouraging Max to slide up over her, parting her lips to welcome his kisses.

    Captured by Moonlight Nancy Gideon 2010

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