softball

noun

soft·​ball ˈsȯf(t)-ˌbȯl 

1

: a sport similar to baseball played on a small diamond with a ball that is larger than a baseball and that is pitched underhand

also : the ball used in this game

2

: a question requiring only an easy or simple response

softballer

ˈsȯf(t)-ˌbȯ-lər 

noun

Examples of softball in a Sentence

Do you want to play softball?

All the questions in the interview were softballs.

Recent Examples on the Web

For Kotzmacher, the recognition acknowledges sacrifices that extend beyond the softball field. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Yuridia Ortiz, the youngest at age 10, started a new softball season, with her dad noticeably missing from the stands. — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026

That plan called for a turf football field with capacity for 2,000, adjoining practice field, softball and baseball fields with bleachers, a concessions building, three scoreboards, and an indoor athletic training building. — Christopher Placek, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

On the morning after, Schumer shamelessly gloated over a Daily News reporter’s softball question. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 1 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for softball

• aldol
• armhole
• atoll
• awol
• backhaul
• banal
• baseball
• befall
• cabal
• catchall
• cecal
• centrale

Kids Definition

softball

noun

soft·​ball ˈsȯf(t)-ˌbȯl 

: baseball played on a small diamond with a ball that is larger than a baseball and that is pitched underhand

also : the ball used in this game