noun

southpaw

SOWTH-paw

Southpaw (noun) means a left-handed person, especially an athlete such as a boxer or pitcher. Example: “The team's star southpaw pitched a shutout last night.”

noun

A left-handed person, especially an athlete such as a boxer or pitcher.

"The team's star southpaw pitched a shutout last night."

How to use southpaw

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA lefty, especially in sports like boxing or baseball.

Common pairings

southpaw pitcher southpaw boxer

Word forms

southpaws plural

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The team's star _____ pitched a shutout last night.

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.

· First attested 1800

Class of 1800 southpaw joined the language around 1800.

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Synonyms

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lefty lefthander left-hander left hander left-handed pitcher

Related words

lefty righty

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.

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