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

All tickets available for Oklahoma City’s softball and canoe slalom events were sold through for both drops. — Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Kloie attended Centennial High School in Bakersfield, and the school’s softball team paid tribute to the late teenager on social media. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026

Basically, that means while some sports will be funded at a level that comes with the expectation of competing for championships (or at least making the postseason), other programs like baseball and softball will be maintained more than prioritized. — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Sports commentator George Grande welcomed viewers to the first SportsCenter broadcast before the network’s first live event, a slow-pitch softball game between the Kentucky Bourbons and the Milwaukee Schlitz. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 Aug. 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