softly softly adjective 1adverb 1softly-softly noun 1forms 1 adjective1 •(UK) Discreet, low-key, careful.Second, this lack of divergence is also the outcome of the EU's softly-softly approach to human rights and democracy in Morocco. — 2003 adverb1 •(UK) In a very tactful, careful, or nondisruptive manner.We couldn't get him back into training before Christmas time because he picked up an injury at the Cheltenham Festival last year and we had to go softly softly. — 2006 softly-softly noun1 •The potto, Perodicticus potto, a primate in the family Lorisidae. formssoftly-softlies
