softball

[ sawft-bawl, soft- ]

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.

softball

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of softball¹

First recorded in 1925–30; soft + ball ¹

Example Sentences

He was just 14 at the time, a young actor who played in a showbiz softball league one day and who showed up to the “Freaks and Geeks” set with his father the next.

From Washington Post

Powdered, unflavored gelatin is bloomed in water while a mixture of sugar and corn syrup is boiled until it reaches 238 degrees, or softball stage on a candy thermometer.

From Washington Post

His father needed a heart transplant, his mother lost vision when a softball hit her eye — and both parents lost their jobs.

From Washington Post

Before the pandemic, his closest male friends were from the softball team he has played with for 14 years, every Thursday evening.

From Washington Post

If you want to dominate your local softball league, for example, focus on workouts that will help you accelerate quickly and increase your rotational power.

From Popular-Science

Her back popped, leaving the former softball star frozen in excruciating pain.

From The Daily Beast

Morning talk shows should be a doddle for a President: softball questions easily answered with a platitude or three.

From The Daily Beast

Erick was in the kitchen with the girls, getting ready to leave for his softball game.

From The Daily Beast

Walters took the opportunity to lob some off-the-cuff softball questions.

From The Daily Beast

Ann is a pleasant brunette, a former class officer, yearbook editor, and member of the softball team at Dryden High.

From The Daily Beast

In lieu of the regulation softball used in the game of Corner Ball, Martha had stitched together a sort of large beanbag.

From Project Gutenberg

The level area between the creek and the road was large enough so we could have softball games and park cars there.

From Project Gutenberg

It is amazing that it only took us two days and there was room enough for a football field and two softball diamonds.

From Project Gutenberg

The football field was seldom used but there was always someone playing softball.

From Project Gutenberg

We played softball again here and I got a baseball uniform which I carried all the way home with me for a souvenir.

From Project Gutenberg