soft-shell
Americanadjective
noun
Etymology
Origin of soft-shell
First recorded in 1795–1805
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I ordered a stir fry of crab and broken rice with greens and yam that came topped with a fried soft-shell crab drizzled with shito, a Ghanaian chili sauce.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 2, 2026
A couple models are sufficiently protective that the wearers don’t have to practice with Guardian Caps, the soft-shell covers that fit over standard helmets to provide additional cushion and protection.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2024
The lab’s recent unpublished research suggests the cancer found in soft-shell clams on the East Coast is 200 years old.
From Seattle Times ● May 22, 2023
Another terrific sidebar, later in the film, has Hae-joon distracted and chasing after stolen soft-shell turtles, which generates an amusing sight gag.
From Salon ● Oct. 14, 2022
“It’s soft-shell crab,” Grandma said, inching forward as the line did.
From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
