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handicap

/ˈhændikæp/noun, verb3 syllables

Handicap means: something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress.

Synonyms for handicap15

noun, as in something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress

hindrance, hinderance, deterrent, impediment, balk, baulk, check

noun, as in the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness

disability, disablement, impairment

verb, as in injure permanently

disable, invalid, incapacitate

verb, as in put at a disadvantage

hinder, hamper

What does handicap mean?6

noun

1

something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress

2

the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness“reading disability”

3

advantage given to a competitor to equalize chances of winning

verb

1

injure permanently“He was disabled in a car accident”

2

put at a disadvantage“The brace I have to wear is hindering my movements”

3

attempt to forecast the winner (especially in a horse race) and assign odds for or against a contestant

Definitions from the Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Handicap in a sentence

  • Poor eyesight is a handicap to a sportsman.CM
  • Poor sight is a handicap to an athlete.unknown
  • She seems to be laboring under the family handicap.unknown
  • The blind young man has got over his handicap.unknown
  • The blind young man has overcome his handicap.FrankeeD
  • Layla didn't want her hijab to be a handicap for her.OsoHombre
  • His fear of flying is a serious handicap in his career.shekitten
  • Her fear of flying is a serious handicap in her career.shekitten

Sentences from Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR, credited to their authors.

Forms of handicap

as a noun

plural
handicaps

as a verb

past tense
handicapped
present participle
handicapping
third-person singular
handicaps
past participle
handicapped