softball

American  

[sawft-bawl, soft-] / ˈsɔftˌbɔl, ˈsɒft- /

noun

1. a form of baseball played on a smaller diamond with a ball that is larger and softer than a baseball.

2. the ball itself.

3. something that can be easily dealt with.

   The confirmation committee threw her a softball on that question.

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softball British  

/ ˈsɒftˌbɔːl /

noun

1. a variation of baseball using a larger softer ball, pitched underhand

2. the ball used

3. cookery the stage in the boiling of a sugar syrup at which it may be rubbed into balls after dipping in cold water

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Etymology

Origin of softball

First recorded in 1925–30; soft + ball ¹

Example Sentences

Instead, LIV turned into an easy punchline, ridiculed for its dismal TV ratings, its schlocky apparel and teams with beer league softball names: HiFlyers, Crushers, Majesticks, Cleeks and RangeGoats.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

The softball tournament will be in Oklahoma City’s Devon Park, which hosts the Women’s College World Series every year, and canoe slalom will take place at Riversport OKC, the official U.S.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

In eighth grade, when I was 13, I was on Pittsfield’s traveling all-star softball team.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

The Glassman twins at El Camino Real, baseball outfielder Ryan and softball pitcher Remy, have made huge impacts for their respective teams and continue to compete among themselves for bragging rights in the family.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

I became a member of my school’s varsity softball team.

From "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok