sotto voce

/ˌˈsɑdoʊ ˌvoʊtʃi/

/ˈsɔttɔ ˈvɔtʃɛ/

When you say something sotto voce, you say it very quietly. If you're unsure of the lyrics, you can also sing a song sotto voce.

This handy Italian phrase can be used as an adverb: "'Don't look now, but there's an alpaca behind you,' she said sotto voce." It's also fine to use it as an adjective: "I liked the sotto voce part of your karaoke performance best." Sotto voce, literally "under the voice," comes from the Latin words subtus, "below," and vocem, "voice."

Definitions of sotto voce

1. adverb

   in an undertone
   “he uttered a curse sotto voce”

   synonyms: in a low voice