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
Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2024
Polar fleece lines the inside of these pants, insulating your skin against dropping temperatures, while a windproof, softshell exterior takes your winter gear to the next level.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2024
Adele Chapin, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 June 2024
The most luxurious of the onigiri may be the one filled with a whole soft-shell crab, its claws protruding at every angle.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for softshell 
Noun
Although hardshell RTTs are loved by many experts for their compact, aerodynamic design, there are still several reasons to choose a traditional softshell tent.
—Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2024
Polar fleece lines the inside of these pants, insulating your skin against dropping temperatures, while a windproof, softshell exterior takes your winter gear to the next level.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2024
Adjective
The menu embraces the sea, featuring soft-shell crab tempura with cream of corn and pickled beech mushrooms, lobster ravioli with leeks and lemon confit, and halibut served with sweet peas, asparagus, and a carrot-ginger emulsion.
—Adele Chapin, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 June 2024
The most luxurious of the onigiri may be the one filled with a whole soft-shell crab, its claws protruding at every angle.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for softshell
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'softshell.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Softshell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/softshell. Accessed 30 Jun. 2024.
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