Illustration of softshell
soft·shell
ˈsȯf(t)-ˌshel 
: any of a family (Trionychidae) of freshwater carnivorous turtles that have sharp claws and mandibles and a flat round shell covered with soft leathery skin instead of with horny plates
called also soft-shelled turtle
variants
or soft-shelled
: having a soft or fragile shell especially as a result of recent shedding
soft-shell crabs
Examples of softshell in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Gina Martinez, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2023
While a softshell windbreaker might be the perfect choice for a fall desert hike, a winter trek requires multiple layers of insulation.
—Lindsey Lapointe, Field & Stream, 3 Aug. 2023
Most outer layers available are rain shells, hard shells, and softshells.
—Lindsey Lapointe, Field & Stream, 3 Aug. 2023
Their hardshell and softshell spinners come in a ton of different designs and styles—no two look the same.
—Addison Aloian, Women's Health, 7 July 2023
Snow pants usually fall into one of three categories for their primary fabric: hardshell, softshell, or hybrid, which uses both hardshell and softshell fabrics.
—Chris Meehan, Popular Mechanics, 17 Aug. 2022
Lightly armored bundles of joy Small miracles are popping out of the mud around Myanmar’s largest lake: Burmese peacock softshell turtles, just hatched.
—Manuela Andreoni, New York Times, 27 June 2023
Whereas some hardshell tents can accommodate gear racks on top of them, this softshell only takes up half the car’s roof.
—Will Egensteiner, Popular Mechanics, 29 Mar. 2023
During a stroll along the central pond, guests can marvel at great blue herons, cormorants, and the peculiar-looking Florida softshell turtle, while the sparkling waters just past the park are a haven for sea ducks, saltwater fish, and, of course, Florida’s native manatees.
—Jared Ranahan, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2023
Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2023
Fried soft-shell crabs were wrapped in lettuce leaves like ssam, served with Vietnamese herbs, a version of Thai nam prik and cilantro blossoms.
—Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2023
There are hard-shell, soft-shell, folio, and roll-up varieties that are designed with different layers of pouches, elastics, zippers, and pockets.
—Kelsey Glennon, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2023
The Platinum Black also includes standard power-deploying running boards with a gloss black finish, reflective black lightning badges, and a soft-shell black tonneau cover to hide a Batcycle under.
—Umar Shakir, The Verge, 24 Aug. 2023
While there are some die-hard soft-shell luggage enthusiasts out there who would never part with their fire engine red T. Anthonys, the merits of the hard-shell variety are undeniable.
—Leena Kim, Town & Country, 2 Aug. 2023
In addition to entrees and small plates, the menu also features rice bowls (served with duck, orange beef or teriyaki chicken) and steamed buns (with soft-shell crab, smoked pork belly or Korean beef).
—Mary Colurso | McOlurso@al.com, al, 8 July 2023
Beyond that—and the value luggage sets offer—considerations are the same as buying single pieces, namely hardshell versus soft-shell, size and weight, special features, and, of course, style.
—Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 2 Mar. 2023
Along with Hazel's regular brunch items, guests can choose from offerings like soft-shell crab Benedict, cinnamon rolls, breakfast strudel and a pastry platter.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 6 May 2023
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Noun
Since last December, Nile monitors, African helmeted turtles, Chinese softshell turtles, Argentine black and white tegus, and Indian rock and Burmese pythons have been listed as wild animals in Georgia, the agency said.
—Gina Martinez, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2023
While a softshell windbreaker might be the perfect choice for a fall desert hike, a winter trek requires multiple layers of insulation.
—Lindsey Lapointe, Field & Stream, 3 Aug. 2023
Most outer layers available are rain shells, hard shells, and softshells.
—Lindsey Lapointe, Field & Stream, 3 Aug. 2023
Their hardshell and softshell spinners come in a ton of different designs and styles—no two look the same.
—Addison Aloian, Women's Health, 7 July 2023
Snow pants usually fall into one of three categories for their primary fabric: hardshell, softshell, or hybrid, which uses both hardshell and softshell fabrics.
—Chris Meehan, Popular Mechanics, 17 Aug. 2022
Lightly armored bundles of joy Small miracles are popping out of the mud around Myanmar’s largest lake: Burmese peacock softshell turtles, just hatched.
—Manuela Andreoni, New York Times, 27 June 2023
Whereas some hardshell tents can accommodate gear racks on top of them, this softshell only takes up half the car’s roof.
—Will Egensteiner, Popular Mechanics, 29 Mar. 2023
During a stroll along the central pond, guests can marvel at great blue herons, cormorants, and the peculiar-looking Florida softshell turtle, while the sparkling waters just past the park are a haven for sea ducks, saltwater fish, and, of course, Florida’s native manatees.
—Jared Ranahan, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2023
Adjective
Slather these soft-shell crab sandwiches with homemade spicy mayo flavored with pepperoncini.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2023
Fried soft-shell crabs were wrapped in lettuce leaves like ssam, served with Vietnamese herbs, a version of Thai nam prik and cilantro blossoms.
—Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2023
There are hard-shell, soft-shell, folio, and roll-up varieties that are designed with different layers of pouches, elastics, zippers, and pockets.
—Kelsey Glennon, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2023
The Platinum Black also includes standard power-deploying running boards with a gloss black finish, reflective black lightning badges, and a soft-shell black tonneau cover to hide a Batcycle under.
—Umar Shakir, The Verge, 24 Aug. 2023
While there are some die-hard soft-shell luggage enthusiasts out there who would never part with their fire engine red T. Anthonys, the merits of the hard-shell variety are undeniable.
—Leena Kim, Town & Country, 2 Aug. 2023
In addition to entrees and small plates, the menu also features rice bowls (served with duck, orange beef or teriyaki chicken) and steamed buns (with soft-shell crab, smoked pork belly or Korean beef).
—Mary Colurso | McOlurso@al.com, al, 8 July 2023
Beyond that—and the value luggage sets offer—considerations are the same as buying single pieces, namely hardshell versus soft-shell, size and weight, special features, and, of course, style.
—Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 2 Mar. 2023
Along with Hazel's regular brunch items, guests can choose from offerings like soft-shell crab Benedict, cinnamon rolls, breakfast strudel and a pastry platter.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 6 May 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'softshell.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Softshell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/softshell. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
soft-shell
adjectiveˈsȯf(t)-ˌshel
variants
or soft-shelled
-ˈsheld
: having a soft or fragile shell especially as a result of recent shedding
soft-shell crabs
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