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

The University of Arkansas softball team’s season ended Sunday with a 7-4 loss to Ole Miss in the decisive Game 3 of the NCAA Fayetteville Super Regional at Bogle Park. —Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 26 May 2025

But even through the tears and silence in the dugout, the 2025 Grapevine softball team had already etched its name in history with the program’s first state semifinal appearance. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 May 2025

College softball teams that win and have fun are not outliers. —Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 22 May 2025

Ages 50-over men’s softball league seeks players The Lakes League Men’s Softball League, for ages 50 and over, will play in October at Pear Park, 26701 U.S. Highway 27, Leesburg. —Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 May 2025

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