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

Participate in a variety of sports tournaments including volleyball, soccer, pickleball, kickball, softball and ultimate frisbee to raise money for Hurricane Helene relief efforts. —Alexis Clinton, Axios, 24 Oct. 2024

Lisbon Park, at 4000 Kirk Street, is near the Denver-Aurora boundary, a softball field, tennis courts and Green Valley Elementary School. —Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2024

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

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