Definition

1. Noun:

   • A disadvantage or impediment: Something that makes progress or success difficult.
   • A physical or mental disability: A condition that substantially limits a major life activity.
   • An advantage given in a competition: A disadvantage imposed on a superior competitor or an advantage given to an inferior one to equalize chances of winning.

2. Verb:

   • To place at a disadvantage: To hinder or impede the progress or action of someone or something.
   • To assign a handicap in sports: To assess competitors' abilities and assign advantages or disadvantages to create a fair contest.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • Lack of funding was a major handicap to the research project.
  • The new law aims to prevent discrimination against people with a handicap.
  • In golf, a player's handicap allows them to compete fairly against others of different skill levels.

• Verb:

  • The team was handicapped by the loss of their star player.
  • The racing committee will handicap the horses based on their past performances.

Advanced Usage

• "to work under a handicap": To operate while facing a significant disadvantage.
  • She managed to complete the project successfully while working under the handicap of limited resources.

Variants and Related Words

• Handicapped (adj.): Having a physical or mental disability. (Note: This term is often considered outdated or offensive; "person with a disability" is generally preferred.)
  • The building provides access for handicapped individuals.
• Handicapper (n.): A person who assigns handicaps, especially in horse racing.
  • The handicapper adjusted the odds before the big race.

Synonyms

• Noun (Disadvantage): Hindrance, impediment, obstacle, drawback.
• Noun (Disability): Disability, impairment.
• Verb: Hinder, hamper, impede, disadvantage.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs.)

Related Idioms

• "to be handicapped by": To be severely limited or disadvantaged by something.
  • The investigation was handicapped by a lack of reliable witnesses.

Noun

1. something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
2. advantage given to a competitor to equalize chances of winning
3. the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness
   • reading disability
   • hearing impairment

Verb

1. put at a disadvantage
   • The brace I have to wear is hindering my movements
2. attempt to forecast the winner (especially in a horse race) and assign odds for or against a contestant
3. injure permanently
   • He was disabled in a car accident