softly

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

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈsɔftli/
• (cot–caught merger) IPA^(key): /ˈsɑftli/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈsɒftli/

• Audio (US):

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softly (comparative softlier or more softly, superlative softliest or most softly)

1. In a soft manner; gently.

   The masseuse was rubbing my back too softly for my liking, so I asked her to go harder.

   • 1861, Anthony Trollope, Framley Parsonage:

     He had married a lady well educated and softly nurtured, but not dowered with worldly wealth. […] They would give up ideas of gentle living, of soft raiment, and delicate feeding.

2. Not loudly; nearly inaudibly.

   whisper softly in someone's ear

   play music softly