noun

cripple

KRIHPL

noun

An outdated and now offensive term for a person with a serious physical disability.

"Older texts sometimes used the word "cripple," a term now considered offensive."

verb

To severely damage or disable something, physically or otherwise.

"The strike crippled the country's transport network for a week."

"A knee injury nearly crippled his football career."

How to Use Cripple

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAs a verb, to badly damage or disable something; as a noun, an outdated and offensive word for a disabled person.

Common mistake

The noun use for a person is now considered offensive and avoided in modern writing — "person with a disability" is the standard respectful alternative. The verb form ("to cripple an economy") is still common and not offensive.

Common pairings

cripple the economy crippled by debt

Word Forms

crippled past tense, cripples plural, cripples singular

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Older texts sometimes used the word "_____," a term now considered offensive.

Etymology

From Old English crypel, related to "creep," originally describing someone who had to crawl rather than walk.

Rhymes for cripple

nipple ripple Whipple

See all rhymes for cripple →