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

Junior softball player Dylan Fischer of Harvard-Westlake has committed to Harvard. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024

The Abby & Libby Memorial Park opened in 2021 with an inaugural softball tournament. —Jenny Porter Tilley, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Oct. 2024

Another challenge was recruiting girls for softball within Como Ball. —Maddie Robinson, Twin Cities, 20 Oct. 2024

The group has already announced that canoe slalom and softball will take place in Oklahoma City. —Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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