softshell

1 of 2

noun

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

Illustration of softshell

soft-shell

2 of 2

adjective

ˈsȯf(t)-ˌshel 

variants or soft-shelled

ˈsȯf(t)-ˈsheld 

: 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

Noun

The body of the coat is insulated for additional warmth, while the breezier softshell sleeves offer a good temperature balance to keep you comfortable regardless of the weather. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2025

The tent design is more like a softshell RTT than a hardshell, a full fabric dome with 51-in (130-cm) peak atop the bi-panel floor. —New Atlas, 1 Feb. 2025

Adjective

Back home soft-shell crabs are literally on the roadside at shacks that sell seafood. —Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025

Taco flavors will include coral soft-shell crab, birria, duck carnitas and bone marrow Wagyu, and fresh tortillas will be served to customers’ tables on a clothesline (yes, with clothespins). —Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1830, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1611, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for softshell

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bombshell
• bridewell
• capelle
• cartel
• carvel
• clamshell
• cogswell
• compel

Kids Definition

soft-shell

adjective

ˈsȯf(t)-ˌshel

variants or soft-shelled

-ˈsheld

: having a soft or fragile shell especially as a result of recent shedding

soft-shell crabs