southpaw

American  

[south-paw] / ˈsaʊθˌpɔ /

noun

1. a person who is left-handed.

2. Sports.

   1. a player who throws with the left hand, especially a pitcher.

   2. Boxing. a boxer who leads with the right hand and stands with the right foot forward, using the left hand for the most powerful blows.

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adjective

1. left-handed.

southpaw British  

/ ˈsaʊθˌpɔː /

noun

1. a boxer who leads with his right hand and off his right foot as opposed to the orthodox style of leading with the left

2. any left-handed person

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adjective

1. of or relating to a southpaw

Usage

What does southpaw mean? A southpaw is a left-handed person, especially a boxer or baseball pitcher. It is also an adjective meaning “left-handed.”What are other words are related to southpaw:

• pitcher
• boxing
• baseball

Etymology

Origin of southpaw

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; south + paw ¹

Example Sentences

Last year, after not being able to come to terms with relief pitcher Alex Vesia by the deadline, the southpaw and the team came to an agreement a few weeks later, avoiding a hearing altogether.

From Los Angeles Times

Australia have two left-handed openers in Head and Weatherald and Stokes has the best average against southpaws of all of the England quicks still standing.

From BBC

Serrano started strongly with sharp body work and accurate left hands from her southpaw stance, before the contest developed into a scrappier affair than expected.

From BBC

A straight left from the champion's southpaw stance landed cleanly and regularly in the third round as the gap in class became increasingly clear.

From BBC

But Benavidez began landing combinations to the head and body with the speed of a lightweight, switching between southpaw and orthodox at will.

From BBC