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 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
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 8 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share