disadvantage

American  

[dis-uhd-van-tij, -vahn-] / ˌdɪs ədˈvæn tɪdʒ, -ˈvɑn- /

noun

1. absence or deprivation of advantage or equality.

   Synonyms:

   hindrance, inconvenience, drawback

2. the state or an instance of being in an unfavorable circumstance or condition.

   to be at a disadvantage.

3. something that puts one in an unfavorable position or condition.

   His bad temper is a disadvantage.

4. injury to interest, reputation, credit, profit, etc.; loss.

   Your behavior is a disadvantage to your family's good name.

   Synonyms:

   damage, harm, hurt, detriment

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verb (used with object)

disadvantaged, disadvantaging

1. to subject to disadvantage.

   I was disadvantaged by illness.

disadvantage British  

/ ˌdɪsədˈvɑːntɪdʒ /

noun

1. an unfavourable circumstance, state of affairs, thing, person, etc

2. injury, loss, or detriment

3. an unfavourable condition or situation (esp in the phrase at a disadvantage )

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verb

1. (tr) to put at a disadvantage; handicap

Etymology

Origin of disadvantage

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English disavauntage, from Anglo-French; Old French desavantage; equivalent to dis- ¹ + advantage

Example Sentences

She said she understood her landlord's thinking, but felt she was seriously disadvantaged as a single mum-of-three with a solitary income.

From BBC

The appeal its stance does have for some white working class voters in the constituency was insufficient to counteract that disadvantage.

From BBC

California racing is at a huge disadvantage nationally because it receives no additional income from other forms of gambling.

From Los Angeles Times

Politicians on prime-time shows in Portugal and Spain earnestly debate how to ensure that locals aren’t disadvantaged by the new wave of foreign residents.

From The Wall Street Journal

“We need products to sell interesting things for our shoppers to browse through. So without more content, it’s a disadvantage.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• detriment
• harm
• prejudice