1 (quietly) [+walk, move] silenciosamente; sin hacer ruido; [+say] bajito; en voz baja; [+whistle] bajito he closed the door softly cerró la puerta silenciosamente; he swore softly dijo una palabrota en voz baja; susurró una palabrota; the radio was playing softly in the kitchen la radio sonaba bajito en la cocina; a softly spoken young man un joven de voz suave
he is softly spoken he whistled softly to himself
2 (gently) [+touch, tap, kiss] suavemente; [+smile] con ternura; dulcemente; [+say] dulcemente she leaned over and kissed him softly on the cheek Mike softly placed his hand on her shoulder.
3 (not brightly) [+glow, gleam, shine] tenuemente softly lit iluminado con luz tenue
...a distant amber light [glowed] softly the lantern [glowed] softly in the darkness a high tower that [gleams] softly and seems made all of silver ...her hair [shining] softly in the dim light