Lernwerd

softly

//ˈsɔftli//

Adverb

A word that modifies a verb, adjective, another adverb, or a clause.

Note for softly

Mnemonics, your own examples, reminders…

Forms

Comparative
softlier
Superlative
softliest

Definitions

  1. 1.In a soft manner; gently.

    • The masseuse was rubbing my back too softly for my liking, so I asked her to go harder.
    • 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. 2.Not loudly; nearly inaudibly.

  3. 3.With subdued color; faded or misty with distance.

    • And they sat very still, the two of them, and looked out over that great, beautiful desert, away to the home mesa that they could see, softly blue, in the distance.

Frequency

Overall

Rare· #4999

By learning goal

Everyday conversation
Rare
General reading & writing
Rare
Academic
Rare
Literature
Rare

Related words

Synonyms

Word family

Etymology

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

Privacy policy