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

Higgins got start in softball at age 8 when her father signed her up for a local recreational league. —Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2025

Softball Norco, Rosary and Orange Lutheran continue to be the top three softball teams in the Southland. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025

The Ellington High softball team was full of seniors, travel ball veterans and there was always their ace pitcher, Camryn Fisher. —Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2025

San Diego State’s softball team (29-15, 13-6) remains 1 ½ games behind Nevada in the Mountain West race. —Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 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