handicap

17 synonyms for handicap, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A physical or mental condition that limits a person's abilities.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

check

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

obstacle limitation disability deterrent invalid disable hinder

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

impediment drawback hindrance disablement baulk balk hinderance hamper incapacitate

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A physical or mental condition that limits a person's abilities.

“The building was redesigned to be accessible to people with a handicap.”

impediment obstacle drawback hindrance limitation disability disablement deterrent baulk balk hinderance check

2. verb

To put someone or something at a disadvantage.

“The injury handicapped his chances of winning the race.”

invalid disable hinder hamper incapacitate

How to use handicap

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

a physical handicap golf handicap a serious handicap handicapped by

Etymology

From the old phrase "hand in cap," a forfeit game where players held stake money in a cap — later borrowed for sports where competitors are given adjusted odds.

Full origin of handicap →

Frequently asked questions

What does “handicap” mean?

The word “handicap” means a physical or mental condition that limits a person's abilities. In plain terms, a disadvantage or limitation, or (in sport) an adjustment made to level the playing field.

How do you pronounce “handicap”?

“Handicap” is pronounced HAN-dee-kap (/ˈhændikæp/ in IPA).

How do you use “handicap” in a sentence?

Here is “handicap” used in a sentence: “The building was redesigned to be accessible to people with a handicap.”

What part of speech is “handicap”?

Depending on how it is used, “handicap” can be a noun and a verb.

Is “handicap” a common word?

“Handicap” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “handicap” have?

“Handicap” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a physical or mental condition that limits a person's abilities.

What is the difference between a handicap and a disability?

"Disability" is the more neutral, standard term today for a physical or mental condition that limits a person's abilities, while "handicap" carries an older, now often considered outdated or insensitive tone when applied to people. In sports and games, however, "handicap" remains the standard, non-offensive term for an adjustment given to weaker competitors.

How is a golf handicap calculated?

A golf handicap is a numerical adjustment representing a player's skill level, used to level the playing field between competitors of different abilities. It works the same way as the general sporting sense of handicap: extra strokes are given to weaker players so a contest is more evenly matched.

Is it acceptable to use handicap to describe a person?

Many style guides and disability advocates now prefer "person with a disability" over "handicapped person," since handicap in that sense is considered dated. The word remains perfectly acceptable in its sporting sense and in its general sense of a disadvantage, such as "a handicap to success."

People also searched

check disability limitation obstacle invalid hinder disable deterrent drawback hamper impediment disablement

Nearby words

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