sotto voce

/'sɔtou'voutʃi/

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The term "sotto voce" is an Italian phrase that is used in English as well. It means "in a quiet voice" or "in an undertone." When someone speaks sotto voce, they are speaking softly, often so that not everyone can hear them. This can be done for various reasons, such as to keep a secret or to be polite in a situation where speaking loudly would be inappropriate.

Usage Instructions:

1. As an adverb: You can use "sotto voce" to describe how someone is speaking. For example: "He said it sotto voce, so only his friend could hear."

Example Sentence:

• "During the meeting, she made a comment sotto voce, not wanting the boss to overhear."

Advanced Usage:

While "sotto voce" is commonly used in casual conversation, it is also found in music. In musical notation, it indicates that a passage should be played or sung quietly.

Word Variants:

"Sotto voce" does not have direct variants, but you can use it in different contexts: - Sotto (meaning "under" in Italian) can be used in other phrases, but "sotto voce" is a fixed expression. - Voce itself means "voice" in Italian.

Different Meaning:

While "sotto voce" primarily refers to speaking softly, it can also imply a sense of secrecy or privacy in communication.

Academic

Adverb

1. in an undertone
   • he uttered a curse sotto voce

Synonyms

• in a low voice