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 nonprofit’s mission is to help youths living in Folsom participate in soccer, basketball, softball, swimming and lacrosse at different age groups and skill levels in competitive leagues and recreational activities. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 28 June 2025

Champlin Park's school district provided a statement to Fox News Digital defending the decision to allow the athlete to compete on the softball team. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025

Now, Simon is applying his skills to building a strong SCC softball team. —Nicole Gregory, Oc Register, 23 June 2025

During their fact-finding mission, King and physical therapist Scott Hacker discovered that nerve injuries like King’s primarily occur among athletes who participate in softball, volleyball, tennis and swimming. —Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 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