softball

UK: /ˈsɒftbɔːl/ US: /ˈsɔftˌbɔl, ˈsɑft-/ ,(sôft′bôl′, soft′-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

soft•ball /ˈsɔftˌbɔl, ˈsɑft-/   n. 

1. Sport a form of baseball played on a smaller playing field with a larger and softer ball:
   [uncountable] two games of softball.
2. Sport the ball itself:
   [countable] They brought two softballs to the game.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

soft•ball  (sôft′bôl′, soft′-), n. 

1. Sport a form of baseball played on a smaller diamond with a larger and softer ball.
2. Sport the ball itself.
3. something that can be easily dealt with:
   The confirmation committee threw her a softball on that question.

• soft + ball¹ 1925–30

softball, +n. 

1. something that can be easily dealt with:
   The confirmation committee threw her a softball on that question.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

softball / ˈsɒftˌbɔːl/ noun

1. a variation of baseball using a larger softer ball, pitched underhand
2. the ball used
3. the stage in the boiling of a sugar syrup at which it may be rubbed into balls after dipping in cold water