softshell

1 of 2

noun

soft·​shell ˈsȯf(t)-ˌshel How to pronounce softshell (audio)
: any of a family (Trionychidae) of freshwater carnivorous turtles that have sharp claws and mandibles and a flat round shell covered with soft leathery skin instead of with horny plates

called also soft-shelled turtle

Illustration of softshell

Illustration of softshell

soft-shell

2 of 2

adjective

variants or soft-shelled
: having a soft or fragile shell especially as a result of recent shedding
soft-shell crabs

Examples of softshell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
This year, the company came back with an almost perfect nordic-ski mitt that kept our hands warm in temps in the high teens and above thanks to a shell made from four-way stretch softshell and Primaloft insulation that’s especially beefy in the back of the hand. Stephanie Pearson, Outside Online, 10 Oct. 2024 Cinder Crank Shorts: Made from a breathable softshell fabric, these shorts delivered all-day comfort with thigh venting zips for further ventilation and saddle reinforcements for durability. Outside Online, 13 June 2024
Adjective
Get The Recipe 57 of 60 Cornmeal-Crusted Soft-Shell Crab Sandwiches Ready in 30 minutes Take advantage of soft-shell crab season with these decadent sandwiches. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2024 Piles of crispy soft-shell crabs were a great way to kick off the meal. Liza B. Zimmerman, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for softshell 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'softshell.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1830, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1611, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of softshell was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near softshell

soft serve

softshell

soft-shell

Cite this Entry

“Softshell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/softshell. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

soft-shell

adjective
ˈsȯf(t)-ˌshel
variants or soft-shelled
-ˈsheld
: having a soft or fragile shell especially as a result of recent shedding
soft-shell crabs
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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