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

From lobbing slow-motion, underhanded softballs of no public interest to failing to seek clarification for unintelligible tirades to ignoring or allowing falsehoods and blatant political spin, the interview serves less as a public service and more as a reminder of ... —Becket Adams, National Review, 12 Jan. 2025

Under former District Attorney George Gascon's mandates for suspects under 18, Tubbs, who was 26 when the case was eventually tried, received a softball sentence of two years in a juvenile facility for girls because the date of the offense was just days before Tubbs' 18th birthday. —Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 9 Jan. 2025

Other women’s sports will benefit from growing interest and visibility on social media and streaming for tech-savvy college and pro stars in sports such as gymnastics, snowboarding, soccer, softball, volleyball, and skateboarding. —David Bloom, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024

The series revolves around a co-ed softball team at middle school named the Pickles in the week leading up to their big championship game. —Denise Petski, Deadline, 17 Dec. 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