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
Rutschman hit 21 left-handed, and the switch hitter then turned around to the right side and hit six more right-handed during a 30-second bonus round.
From Washington Times • Jul. 10, 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
The Mariners like that he’s a switch hitter, and they’re curious about his defense in the outfield corners.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 13, 2023
As a switch hitter in a lineup that leans heavily on right-handed hitters, Raleigh could wind up being the Mariners’ regular cleanup hitter in 2023, particularly against right-handed starters.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 30, 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.
