disabled

[ dis-ey-buhld ]

adjective

1. physically or mentally impaired, injured, or incapacitated.
2. not working or operating properly, or at all; incapable or made incapable of functioning: They called the Coast Guard to tow the disabled boat to shore.

   This feature is normally disabled on company computers.

   They called the Coast Guard to tow the disabled boat to shore.

noun

, (used with a plural verb)

1. Usually the disabled. physically or mentally impaired people:

   Ramps have been installed at the entrances to accommodate the disabled.

disabled

/ dɪˈseɪbəld /

adjective

1. 1. lacking one or more physical powers, such as the ability to walk or to coordinate one's movements, as from the effects of a disease or accident, or through mental impairment
   2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the disabled

Usage

Nowadays it is better to refer to people with physical disabilities of various kinds by describing the specific difficulty in question rather than talking about the disabled as a group, which is considered somewhat offensive. Some people also object to the word disabled to refer to facilities for people with disabilites, and prefer the word accessible

Sensitive Note

Disabled is a comprehensive umbrella term to describe people or communities of people who live with functional limitations in carrying out major life activities, such as walking, lifting, seeing, or learning. When should disabled be used to describe someone? First, in many cases, there is no need to mention disability; it is often not relevant to the information being conveyed. In most cases, when disabilities are mentioned, it is preferable to name the person’s specific physical or mental condition, like diabetes or traumatic brain injury. However, when addressing an issue that affects the larger community of people living with such functional limitations in daily activities, for example, when discussing accessibility in the workplace, disabled and disability are the appropriate terms. Some people prefer person-first constructions like “a person with a disability” to emphasize the whole person, not defined exclusively by living with a disability. Others use identity-first language like “a disabled person” to center the disability as an important aspect of identity and push back on the presupposition that disability is inherently negative, unmentionable, or something to be politely ignored. Following similar logic, the euphemisms “special,” “challenged,” “differently abled,” and “handicapable” are not recommended. The straightforward, simple, and descriptive term disabled is preferred.

Other Words From

• non·dis·a·bled noun adjective
• sem·i·dis·a·bled adjective
• un·dis·a·bled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of disabled¹

First recorded in 1625–35; disable + -ed ²

Example Sentences

As disabled veterans returned home, the government launched the “Great Civil War Benefaction” to provide prostheses.

From Popular-Science

The Blade last year reported Maryland’s State Department of Education said it was in the process of developing new standards to include LGBTQ and disabled communities.

From Washington Blade

That’s because Medicare, the government’s insurance plan for the disabled and people over 65, sets prices.

From ProPublica

MTS’s concerns about fraud mirror those of advocates and authorities across the nation who have long decried abuses of resources such as ADA parking placards by people who are not disabled.

From Voice of San Diego

I wish “Finish the Fight” had included disabled women in its narrative.

From Washington Blade

Recall how Clinton returned to Arkansas from the campaign trail to preside over the execution of a mentally disabled man.

From The Daily Beast

It helps that he is the opposite of Christopher, he says: “socially good and mathematically disabled.”

From The Daily Beast

Unwittingly or not, modern feminism is leaving its disabled sisters out of the discussion.

From The Daily Beast

Evidence of their popularity can be seen in the fact that the comments box was disabled.

From The Daily Beast

Supporters say the girl is no longer in pain, while critics say she was killed for being disabled.

From The Daily Beast

Four he had already either killed outright or effectively disabled; so that fifteen remained him.

From Project Gutenberg

The 'Egeria,' schooner, was disabled very early in the race by the carrying away of the iron strop round her boom.

From Project Gutenberg

His keepers, returning from the spring, shouted and rushed indoors only to find their disabled pieces.

From Project Gutenberg

Deserted by a part of their men, the knights redoubled their efforts of valor, but in vain; they were all killed or disabled.

From Project Gutenberg

The disabled comrade could hardly keep back the tears as he saw them pass down the street.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• broken
• broken-down
• down
• in disrepair
• inoperative
• out of order
• out of service