VERY SOFTLY

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does very softly mean? 

• VERY SOFTLY (adverb)
  The adverb VERY SOFTLY has 1 sense:

1. a direction in music; to be played very softly

  Familiarity information: VERY SOFTLY used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• VERY SOFTLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A direction in music; to be played very softly

Synonyms:

pianissimo; very softly

 Context examples 

I lay my face upon the pillow by her, and she looks into my eyes, and speaks very softly.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Entering the room very softly, I had a view of him before he discovered my presence.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

He passed close beside us, stole over to the window, and very softly and noiselessly raised it for half a foot.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Also, their effect was irritating, for Cherokee began to growl, very softly, deep down in his throat.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

About four hours after we began our journey, I awaked by a very ridiculous accident; for the carriage being stopped a while, to adjust something that was out of order, two or three of the young natives had the curiosity to see how I looked when I was asleep; they climbed up into the engine, and advancing very softly to my face, one of them, an officer in the guards, put the sharp end of his half-pike a good way up into my left nostril, which tickled my nose like a straw, and made me sneeze violently; whereupon they stole off unperceived, and it was three weeks before I knew the cause of my waking so suddenly.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

“Held by the palings. Cried. But, Trotwood, come here,” getting me close to him, that he might whisper very softly; “why did she give him money, boy, in the moonlight?”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

He passed up the gallery very softly, unclosed the staircase door with as little noise as possible, shut it after him, and the last ray vanished.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

She now said very softly, in a trembling voice: Mama, I hope you have finished?

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)