[Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/softly.html)

[home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/) / [The school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/) / softly

[← S](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/S/)

# softly

«softly» in Mova's school dictionary: **quietly, not loudly** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 5 sentences of Mova's corpora that use it.

### part of speech

adverb

### meaning for a pupil

1) Softly means quietly, not loudly. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/softly/#m1)

2) Softly means gently, with little force. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/softly/#m2)

3) Softly can mean in a kind, tender way. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/softly/#m3)

### sense in the lessons

In stories it tells the reader that a sound is quiet or an action is gentle, often to show care, calm, secrecy or a sleeping person: «she spoke softly», «snow fell softly». In music and drama it tells you how to perform. Phrases: «speak softly», «softly, softly», «tread softly», «close the door softly».

### examples

- Please speak softly; the baby is asleep. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/softly/#x1)
- Snow fell softly on the roofs. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/softly/#x2)
- She closed the door softly behind her. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/softly/#x3)
- The music played softly in the background. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/softly/#x4)
- He softly stroked the kitten. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/softly/#x5)
- The wind blew softly through the trees. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/softly/#x6)
- "It's all right," Grandma said softly. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/softly/#x7)
- Tiptoe softly so you don't wake anyone. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/softly/#x8)
- She answered softly, “Yes, dear Beast.” [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/softly/#x9)

### note

Adverb from «soft» + -ly. The opposite is «loudly» (for sound) or «roughly/hard» (for touch). Note the «t» is often silent: «sof-ly».

### In the corpora

- [Approach a horse from the side, near its shoulder, and talk softly as you come.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/28-farm-animals-and-horses/9/)
- [Animals feel safe with calm people who move slowly and speak softly.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/72-keeping-garden-wildlife-safe/12/)
- [Small animals are easily frightened, because to them we are huge; they feel safe with people who move slowly and speak softly.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/207-kindness-to-animals/2/)
- [With small animals you always move slowly and speak softly.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/207-kindness-to-animals/8/)
- [Moving slowly and speaking softly tells an animal that you are not a threat.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/288-being-gentle-with-small-animals/3/)

### Trees and pragmatics

[Every meaning and example of «softly» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/softly/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.