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

In 1976 a group of UCLA students, aspiring actors and other friends formed Doc Feeney’s All Stars, a hobby softball team that over five decades has evolved into a surrogate family. — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026

Rather than leading with softball, Valentino wanted to know about her life. — Latif Love june 26, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026

Hats off to Naperville Sun sports reporter Matt Le Cren for his top-of-the-game articles on girls softball. — Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026

Boise State softball will head into the 2027 season with a new head coach, but the man in charge is certainly no stranger to the capital city — or the Gem State. — Shaun Goodwin june 25, Idaho Statesman, 25 June 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