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
New Atlas, 1 Feb. 2025
Testers appreciated the ability to secure the inner shoe without having to dig inside the shell, thanks to an external BOA dial that tightens and loosens with precise clicks, and found the water-resistant softshell gaiter cut cold, biting winds and shed moisture.
—Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 20 Dec. 2024
Mark Puleo, The Athletic, 27 Aug. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for softshell 
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Noun
The tent design is more like a softshell RTT than a hardshell, a full fabric dome with 51-in (130-cm) peak atop the bi-panel floor.
—New Atlas, 1 Feb. 2025
Testers appreciated the ability to secure the inner shoe without having to dig inside the shell, thanks to an external BOA dial that tightens and loosens with precise clicks, and found the water-resistant softshell gaiter cut cold, biting winds and shed moisture.
—Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
The father is also now pushing for players to receive Guardian Caps, soft-shell covers used on helmets that can help prevent head injuries.
—Mark Puleo, The Athletic, 27 Aug. 2024
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
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 16 Feb. 2025.
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