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

Conviser’s case, which was partially dismissed for lack of standing, accused legendary DePaul softball coach Eugene Lenti of verbally and mentally abusing his athletes and physically assaulting a staffer. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 17 Aug. 2026

The flip side • Congrats to the Lake Mary softball team for giving Central Florida the excitement during your games and ending on a high-note win over New Jersey. — Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026

When sides were chosen for the team’s annual summer softball game last week, Hurley found a way to get Na’jai Hines on his side. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026

Tulsa National Little League's softball team was recently removed from the Little League Softball Southwest Region Tournament for a separate eligibility case. — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 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