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 new Track and Field Complex is located off South Milledge Avenue directly across from the Jack Turner Family Complex, which houses Georgia softball and soccer. —Sarah Spencer, AJC.com, 19 Feb. 2026

The renovations at Hempfield High School will likely be done sometime in 2029, but if the school board approves, the baseball, softball and multipurpose grass fields could all be refurbished by the next school year. —Christopher Derose, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026

Soccer, softball, volleyball, basketball. —Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026

There are leagues in over 12 different sports, available year-round, including tennis, softball, soccer, flag football and bowling. —Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026

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