Softly
Example: She played the piano softly during the quiet song.
Definition
"Softly" in music refers to playing or singing in a gentle, quiet manner, producing a mild and delicate sound. It indicates a lower volume and a tender touch, enhancing the emotional or intimate quality of a piece, as in 'She played the piano softly during the quiet song.'
Etymology
The word "softly" comes from the adjective "soft" combined with the adverbial suffix "-ly," which means in a soft manner. "Soft" originates from Old English "softe," meaning gentle or mild. Did you know that in music notation, "softly" is often indicated by the term "piano," reflecting the same idea of gentleness and quietness?
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"Softly" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - Music - (A1) - set 1", containing 104 commonly used words.
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