southpaw: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, primarily sports journalism and colloquial.
Quick answer
What does “southpaw” mean?
A left-handed person, especially a left-handed athlete (e.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A left-handed person, especially a left-handed athlete (e.g., boxer, baseball pitcher).
Originally a baseball term for a left-handed pitcher (whose pitching arm faces south when facing home plate in many ballparks). Now used broadly for any left-handed person, with a strong connotation in sports contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Understood in both varieties but is quintessentially American in origin (baseball). More commonly used and recognized in North American contexts. In the UK, it is understood but less frequent than general 'left-hander'.
Connotations
US: Strong sports, especially baseball/boxing connotation. Positive or neutral descriptor of an athlete's trait. UK: Often perceived as an Americanism, used more self-consciously, sometimes for stylistic effect in writing.
Frequency
High frequency in American sports media; medium-to-low in general British English.
Grammar
How to Use “southpaw” in a Sentence
[be] a southpaw[face/oppose] a southpaw[pitch/throw] as a southpawVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “southpaw” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He has a tricky southpaw delivery.
- The southpaw stance confused the right-handed defender.
American English
- The team is looking for a southpaw reliever for the bullpen.
- Her southpaw swing generates incredible power.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in metaphorical use for an unconventional strategy ('the CEO's southpaw approach to the merger').
Academic
Rare; historical linguistics or sociology of sport.
Everyday
Informal reference to a left-handed person, especially in contexts of sports or physical activity.
Technical
Common in sports coaching, scouting reports, and athletic training manuals.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “southpaw”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “southpaw”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “southpaw”
- Using it for any left-handed object (e.g., 'a southpaw scissors' – incorrect).
- Capitalising the word (it's not a proper noun).
- Using it in overly formal contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not typically. It specifically refers to handedness, though in very casual use it might be extended by analogy.
No, it is generally neutral or positive, especially in sports. It is less clinical but more colourful than 'left-hander'.
It comes from 1880s American baseball. In many old ballparks, home plate was oriented so the batter faced east (to avoid the afternoon sun). A left-handed pitcher's throwing arm would therefore point to the south.
Yes, it is most commonly used as a noun ('He is a southpaw') but is also frequently used attributively as an adjective ('a southpaw pitcher', 'a southpaw stance').
A left-handed person, especially a left-handed athlete (e.
Southpaw is usually informal, primarily sports journalism and colloquial. in register.
Southpaw: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsaʊθ.pɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsaʊθ.pɑː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “have a southpaw advantage”
- “the southpaw's curse (in a right-handed world)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a baseball pitcher on the mound. His left (south) PAW (hand) is throwing the ball. South + Paw = left hand.
Conceptual Metaphor
BODY PART (HAND) IS AN ANIMAL'S PAW / ORIENTATION (SOUTH) STANDS FOR NON-STANDARD DIRECTION.
Practice
Quiz
In which sport did the term 'southpaw' most likely originate?