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
Anne Taylor, Travel + Leisure, 5 Sep. 2025
After extensive market research, only one answer made sense: consumers had suddenly become more savvy about the quality of softshell jackets.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
Graham Averill, Outside, 24 Oct. 2025
After purchasing Tepui back in late 2018, Thule immediately had a full selection of some of the market's most innovative rooftop tents in both hard and soft-shell varieties.
—New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for softshell
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Noun
Columbia Women’s Sweet As III Hooded Softshell Jacket A softshell jacket is another quintessential fall hiking piece.
—Anne Taylor, Travel + Leisure, 5 Sep. 2025
After extensive market research, only one answer made sense: consumers had suddenly become more savvy about the quality of softshell jackets.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
The Freewheel is a light (less than 16 ounces) and breathable soft-shell outer layer made from a mix of spandex and recycled nylon to give the jacket unbelievable stretch.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 24 Oct. 2025
After purchasing Tepui back in late 2018, Thule immediately had a full selection of some of the market's most innovative rooftop tents in both hard and soft-shell varieties.
—New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for softshell
Cite this Entry
“Softshell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/softshell. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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