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
Stephanie Pearson, Outside Online, 10 Oct. 2024
Cinder Crank Shorts: Made from a breathable softshell fabric, these shorts delivered all-day comfort with thigh venting zips for further ventilation and saddle reinforcements for durability.
—Outside Online, 13 June 2024
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2024
Piles of crispy soft-shell crabs were a great way to kick off the meal.
—Liza B. Zimmerman, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for softshell 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
This year, the company came back with an almost perfect nordic-ski mitt that kept our hands warm in temps in the high teens and above thanks to a shell made from four-way stretch softshell and Primaloft insulation that’s especially beefy in the back of the hand.
—Stephanie Pearson, Outside Online, 10 Oct. 2024
Cinder Crank Shorts: Made from a breathable softshell fabric, these shorts delivered all-day comfort with thigh venting zips for further ventilation and saddle reinforcements for durability.
—Outside Online, 13 June 2024
Adjective
Get The Recipe 57 of 60 Cornmeal-Crusted Soft-Shell Crab Sandwiches
Ready in 30 minutes
Take advantage of soft-shell crab season with these decadent sandwiches.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2024
Piles of crispy soft-shell crabs were a great way to kick off the meal.
—Liza B. Zimmerman, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for softshell
Dictionary Entries Near softshell
Cite this Entry
“Softshell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/softshell. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share