Baseball. a batter who can bat both right-handed and left-handed and so is able to bat from either side of home plate.
Slang. a bisexual person.
baseball a batsman who can hit either right- or left-handed
slang a bisexual person
First recorded in 1925–30 switch hitter for def. 1, and in 1965–70 switch hitter for def. 2
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Freeman is not a switch hitter since he can’t hit from the right side.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 25, 2026
Pittsburgh and the 28-year-old switch hitter finalized the largest deal in franchise history on Wednesday, a $106.75 million, eight-year contract.
From Washington Times ● Apr. 26, 2023
García, a left-handed hitter, and Ruiz, a switch hitter, would be more logical options if Martinez wants to have a lefty behind Alex Call or Thomas.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 20, 2023
Veteran switch hitter Carlos Santana is expected to serve as the designated hitter for all three games.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 10, 2022
Veteran switch hitter Carlos Santana is expected to serve as the designated hitter.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 6, 2022
As a switch-hitter, Freeland has had more success from the left side than the right.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 4, 2026
The switch-hitter pulled an 0-1 pitch far beyond the left-field wall and grinned at Schallock as he rounded the bases.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 26, 2024
The switch-hitter hit two of the homers right-handed, and the other from the left side of the plate.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 8, 2023
Tommy Edman, a switch-hitter, batted from the right side against right-hander Luke Weaver.
From Washington Times ● May 25, 2023
He touched 100 with his fastball and had Lindor, a switch-hitter batting lefty, chasing on back-t0-back splitters low and away.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 26, 2023
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
