disadvantaged

[dis-uhd-van-tijd]

adjective

1. lacking the normal or usual necessities and comforts of life, as proper housing, educational opportunities, job security, adequate medical care, etc..

   The government extends help to disadvantaged minorities.

   Synonyms: deprived, impoverished, underprivileged, poor

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. Usually the disadvantaged disadvantaged persons collectively.

   The senator advocates increased funding for federal programs that aid the disadvantaged.

disadvantaged

/ ˌdɪsədˈvɑːntɪdʒd /

adjective

1. socially or economically deprived or discriminated against

Other Word Forms

• disadvantagedness noun
• nondisadvantaged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of disadvantaged¹

First recorded in 1930–35; disadvantage + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Many come from disadvantaged countries in the Middle East, Africa and South and East Asia.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Young people from a low-income, disadvantaged background aren't doomed to failure, he says, "but the hill to climb is so much harder".

Read more on BBC

He and his wife, Connie, have given away billions through their Ballmer Group to improve the economic mobility of children and families in disadvantaged communities.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They said that was particularly true of "those from disadvantaged backgrounds".

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The defence, he added, was disadvantaged by being "devoid of the opportunity to test and challenge" the statements.

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Related Words

• deprived 
• impaired 
• impoverished 
• poor 
• underprivileged