Switch Hitter Definition & Meaning

American

British

Etymology

Examples

switch hitter American [swich hit-er] / ˈswɪtʃ ˈhɪt ər / Or switch-hitter

noun

1. Baseball. a batter who can bat both right-handed and left-handed and so is able to bat from either side of home plate.

2. Slang. a bisexual person.

switch-hitter British

noun

1. baseball a batsman who can hit either right- or left-handed

2. slang a bisexual person

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of switch hitter

First recorded in 1925–30 switch hitter for def. 1, and in 1965–70 switch hitter for def. 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Edman, a switch hitter who was batting from the left side, also got one in his second trip to the plate, laying off a backdoor bender that stayed too far outside in an at-bat that ended in Sasaki’s only walk.

From Los Angeles Times

He was the squatty switch hitter with the ’50s flattop crewcut, the guy in the dirty uniform who ran hard to first base on walks, slid headfirst, signed autographs without hesitation and was a charming, engaging storyteller.

From Los Angeles Times

Jorge Polanco looked like the ideal fit coming into the season — a switch hitter with a veteran presence who could offer some protection for Rodriguez.

From Seattle Times

“I was a switch hitter,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

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

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.