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Meaning & use

softly

adverb·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈsɒftli/
US/ˈsɔːftli/

Meanings

  1. adverb

    In a quiet and gentle way; without loudness or force.

    Grammar: Modifies a verb: speak softly, touch softly.

    Patterns

    • speak softly
    • touch something softly
    • softly + verb

    She spoke softly so as not to wake the baby.

    He touched her cheek softly.

    The wind blew softly through the trees.

  2. adverb

    In a way that is not bright or harsh; gently.

    Grammar: Often used with light: softly lit, softly glowing.

    Patterns

    • softly lit
    • softly glowing

    The room was softly lit by candles.

    The moon shone softly through the clouds.

Word forms

comparativemore softly
superlativemost softly

Common combinations

speak softly
He spoke softly to calm the frightened child.
softly lit
The restaurant was softly lit and romantic.
land softly
The butterfly landed softly on the flower.
play softly
The musician played softly so the audience could hear the singer.

Synonyms and how they differ

quietly
Quietly focuses on low volume or little activity, while softly often adds a sense of gentleness or tenderness.
gently
Gently emphasizes care and lack of force, often for physical actions; softly is more about sound or light.
tenderly
Tenderly suggests love and affection, a stronger emotional quality than softly.

Opposites

loudlyharshlyroughly

Word family

soft adjective
Not hard; quiet and gentle.
softness noun
The quality of being soft.
soften verb
To make or become soft or less harsh.

Commonly confused: softly or soft?

softly vs soft

Soft is an adjective (a soft voice), while softly is an adverb (she spoke softly).

Practice

Choose the correct word: She spoke ______ to the nervous child.

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