disadvantage
dih-suhd-VAHN-tihj
Disadvantage (noun) means a drawback, weakness, or unfavorable circumstance compared to others. Example: “The main disadvantage of the apartment is its distance from the station.”
noun
1
A drawback, weakness, or unfavorable circumstance compared to others.
"The main disadvantage of the apartment is its distance from the station."
"Being short is a disadvantage in basketball."
"Not speaking the local language was a real disadvantage when she first moved abroad."
verb
1
To put someone in a weaker or less favorable position.
"The new rule disadvantages smaller businesses."
"Growing up in poverty had disadvantaged him from the start."
"Cutting the bus service would disadvantage people who cannot afford to drive."
How to use disadvantage
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA downside or unfair handicap that puts someone or something at a lower chance of success.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
at a disadvantage
put someone at a disadvantage
economic disadvantage
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Word forms
- Plural
- disadvantages
- Third person singular
- disadvantages
- Past tense
- disadvantaged
Fill the gap
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The main _____ of the apartment is its distance from the station.
Etymology
From Middle English disavauntage, borrowed from Old French desavantage.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for disadvantage
See all rhymes for disadvantage →Frequently asked questions
What does “disadvantage” mean?
The word “disadvantage” means a drawback, weakness, or unfavorable circumstance compared to others. In plain terms, a downside or unfair handicap that puts someone or something at a lower chance of success.
How do you pronounce “disadvantage”?
“Disadvantage” is pronounced dih-suhd-VAHN-tihj (/ˌdɪsədˈvæntɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “disadvantage” in a sentence?
Here is “disadvantage” used in a sentence: “The main disadvantage of the apartment is its distance from the station.”
What is the opposite of “disadvantage”?
The opposite of “disadvantage” — its antonyms — is advantage.
What part of speech is “disadvantage”?
Depending on how it is used, “disadvantage” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “disadvantage” come from?
The word “disadvantage” comes from Old French. From Middle English disavauntage, borrowed from Old French desavantage.
Is “disadvantage” a common word?
“Disadvantage” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “disadvantage” have?
“Disadvantage” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a drawback, weakness, or unfavorable circumstance compared to others.
What is the difference between "disadvantage" and "handicap"?
"Disadvantage" is a general term for a drawback or unfavorable circumstance compared to others, while "handicap" often implies a more specific or persistent limitation, historically tied to physical or competitive contexts. "Disadvantage" is the broader, more neutral word usable in almost any comparison.
What does it mean to "disadvantage" someone as a verb?
As a verb, to "disadvantage" someone means to put them in a weaker or less favorable position compared to others, such as a policy that disadvantages small businesses. This usage focuses on the act of causing the unfavorable circumstance, not just describing it.
What is the opposite of "disadvantage"?
The direct opposite is "advantage," which describes a favorable circumstance or benefit compared to others. The two words are commonly weighed against each other, as in comparing the "advantages and disadvantages" of a decision.
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