handicapped

American  

[han-dee-kapt] / ˈhæn diˌkæpt /

adjective

1. Sometimes Offensive. physically or mentally disabled.

2. of or designed for handicapped people.

   handicapped parking.

3. Sports. (of a competitor) marked by, being under, or having a handicap.

   a handicapped player.

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noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. Often Offensive. disabled persons collectively.

handicapped British  

/ ˈhændɪˌkæpt /

adjective

1. physically disabled

2. psychol denoting a person whose social behaviour or emotional reactions are in some way impaired

3. (of a competitor) assigned a handicap

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Sensitive Note

See cripple.

Usage

Nowadays the use of the word handicapped to describe people with disabilities is generally considered inappropriate. It is preferable to refer to someone as having a disability and to talk about people with disabilities

Other Word Forms

• multihandicapped
  adjective
• nonhandicapped
  adjective
• unhandicapped
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of handicapped

First recorded in 1910–15; handicap + -ed ³

Example Sentences

In 1980, she became the first director of the newly created National Institute of Handicapped Research, appointed by President Jimmy Carter.

From Washington Post • Dec. 17, 2021

This was followed by the Education for all Handicapped Children Act of 1975, which required public schools to educate children with disabilities.

From Textbooks • Jul. 28, 2021

Washington’s law became a model for the federal Education for All Handicapped Children Act passed in 1975.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 30, 2018

By 1961, Harold served on the President’s Committee for the Employment of the Handicapped, a post appointed by John F. Kennedy.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 10, 2016

Dad pulls into a Handicapped Spot right by the cafeteria door and I tell him, You can’t park here, but he turns off the engine and opens his door and says, This counts.

From "Mockingbird" by Kathryn Erskine

Related Words

• disabled