softball
- 01 B1 Intermediate
a game like baseball played on a smaller field with a larger ball.
a team sport similar to baseball, typically played on a smaller diamond with a larger, softer ball and underhand pitching.
Simple“She joined the local softball team to meet new people in the neighborhood.”
In context“The university's softball program has gained significant popularity since the installation of the new floodlit diamond last spring.”
UsageUncountable when referring to the sport itself.
- 02 B1 Intermediate
the large, relatively soft ball used in the game of softball.
the specific ball used in the sport, which is larger and less dense than a standard baseball.
Simple“He threw the softball across the park to his friend.”
In context“The coach inspected the softballs for damage before the start of the championship game.”
UsageCountable when referring to the physical object.
- 03 C1 Advanced
a question that is very easy to answer, often given to someone to make them look good.
a question posed in an interview or debate that is intentionally easy to answer or designed to avoid controversy.
Simple“The reporter asked the politician a few softballs before moving to the difficult topics.”
In context“Critics accused the moderator of tossing the candidate softballs rather than pressing him on his controversial economic record.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is common in political journalism and media interviews to describe a lack of rigour.
1926: soft + ball. Compare hardball.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.