southpaw
5 synonyms for southpaw, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A left-handed person, especially an athlete such as a boxer or pitcher.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use southpaw
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
southpaw pitcher
southpaw boxer
Etymology
From south + paw. First recorded in the early 1800s; commonly explained by old ballpark layouts that put a left-handed pitcher's throwing arm on the south side, though the term may actually trace back further to 1840s boxing slang for a left-handed punch.
Full origin of southpaw →Frequently asked questions
What does “southpaw” mean?
The word “southpaw” means a left-handed person, especially an athlete such as a boxer or pitcher. In plain terms, a lefty, especially in sports like boxing or baseball.
How do you pronounce “southpaw”?
“Southpaw” is pronounced SOWTH-paw (/ˈsaʊθˌpɔː/ in IPA).
How do you use “southpaw” in a sentence?
Here is “southpaw” used in a sentence: “The team's star southpaw pitched a shutout last night.”
What part of speech is “southpaw”?
“Southpaw” is a noun.
Where does the word “southpaw” come from?
The word “southpaw” dates back to around 1800.
