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Definition of southpaw

southpaw

/ˈsaʊθˌpɔː/
south · paw
Plural:southpaws
•
Adjective:southpaw
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southpaw Lexical Profile

southpaw Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A left-handed person, especially a boxer who leads with the right hand and foot or a left-handed baseball pitcher.

Example

"The manager brought in a veteran southpaw from the bullpen to face the left-handed batters."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• adjective

1

Left-handed, or designating a boxing stance in which the fighter leads with the right hand and right foot.

Example

"The trainer taught him how to counter a southpaw stance effectively during sparring sessions."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for southpaw
Antonyms
View all antonyms for southpaw

• Nearby Words

southernmost
southland
southmost
southpaw
southward
southwardly
southwest

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in mid-19th-century American English, likely from baseball stadiums where diamonds were oriented so the batter faced east to avoid the afternoon sun, meaning a left-handed pitcher's throwing arm ('paw') was on the south side.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Southpaw. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/southpaw
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