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softball

noun soft·ball \ ˈsȯf(t)-ˌbȯl \
|Updated on: 11 Jun 2018

Definition of softball

1 : a sport similiar 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

play \ˈsȯf(t)-ˌbȯ-lər\ noun

See softball defined for English-language learners

See softball defined for kids

Examples of softball in a Sentence

  1. Do you want to play softball?

  2. All the questions in the interview were softballs.

Recent Examples of softball from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'softball.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of softball

1867

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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SOFTBALL Defined for English Language Learners

softball

noun

Definition of softball for English Language Learners

  • : a sport that is similar to baseball but that is played on a smaller field and with a ball that is pitched underhand and that is larger and softer than a baseball

  • : the ball that is used in softball

  • : a question that is very easy to answer

SOFTBALL Defined for Kids

softball

noun soft·ball \ ˈsȯft-ˌbȯl \

Definition of softball for Students

1 : a game like baseball played with a larger ball thrown underhand
2 : the ball used in softball

Learn More about softball

  1. See words that rhyme with softball Spanish Central: Translation of softball Nglish: Translation of softball for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about softball

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