softball
|soft/ball|
B1
🇺🇸
/ˈsɔftˌbɔl/
🇬🇧
/ˈsɒftˌbɔːl/
a sport similar to baseball
Etymology
Etymology Information
'softball' originates from English, specifically the word 'soft' combined with 'ball', where 'soft' meant 'not hard' and 'ball' referred to a spherical object used in games.
Historical Evolution
'softball' changed from the English word 'soft' and 'ball' and eventually became the modern English word 'softball'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'a ball that is soft', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a sport similar to baseball'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a variant of baseball played with a larger ball on a smaller field and usually with underhand pitching.
She joined the local softball team to stay active.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:35