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

Baseball and softball will be making their returns to the Olympics after being absent at the Paris Games last summer. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 Nov. 2025

Today the club’s programming is an array of play — from softball to tennis and kickball games — to book club meet-ups, art workshops, group hikes and biking and beyond. —Deanna Taylor, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025

Rubino is president of the North County Special Needs Foundation and coaches the Poway Padres, a Special Olympics softball team. —Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025

Anderson credits her sure hands in flag football to practice, and playing softball and volleyball growing up. —Dan Albano, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 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