softball

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: softballs

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A game similar to baseball but played with a larger and softer ball which can be thrown overhand or underhand.

Noun

Examples

This will give you someone with whom you can trade softball complaints, which any veteran game-goer will tell you is the key to a good time.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

The ball used to play the sport.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “softball” mean?

A game similar to baseball but played with a larger and softer ball which can be thrown overhand or underhand.

Is “softball” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.