handicap

[ han-dee-kap ]

/ ˈhæn diˌkæp /

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See synonyms for: handicap / handicapped / handicapping on Thesaurus.com

noun

a race or other contest in which certain disadvantages or advantages of weight, distance, time, etc., are placed upon competitors to equalize their chances of winning.

the disadvantage or advantage itself.

any disadvantage that makes success more difficult: The main handicap of our business is lack of capital.

Sometimes Offensive. a physical or mental disability making participation in certain of the usual activities of daily living more difficult.

verb (used with object), hand·i·capped, hand·i·cap·ping.

to place at a disadvantage; disable or burden: He was handicapped by his injured ankle.

to subject to a disadvantageous handicap, as a competitor of recognized superiority.

to assign handicaps to (competitors).

Sports.

to attempt to predict the winner of (a contest, especially a horse race), as by comparing past performances of the contestants.
to assign odds for or against (any particular contestant) to win a contest or series of contests: He handicapped the Yankees at 2-to-1 to take the series from the Cardinals.

OTHER WORDS FOR handicap

5 hinder, impede, cripple, incapacitate.

See synonyms for handicap on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR handicap

5 aid, assist, help.

See antonyms for handicap on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of handicap

1640–50; 1870–75 for def. 8; originally hand i' cap hand in cap, referring to a drawing before a horse race

OTHER WORDS FROM handicap

non·hand·i·cap, nouno·ver·hand·i·cap, verb (used with object), o·ver·hand·i·capped, o·ver·hand·i·cap·ping.pre·hand·i·cap, noun, verb (used with object), pre·hand·i·capped, pre·hand·i·cap·ping.

Words nearby handicap

handheld, handheld computer, handhold, handholding, hand horn, handicap, handicapped, handicapper, handicap register, handicraft, handicraftsman

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use handicap in a sentence

Faced with that handicap, even with good writing and performances, it’s hard for a movie to be anything but a bummer.
Wahlberg walks for redemption in disappointing ‘Joe Bell’|John Paul King|July 22, 2021|Washington Blade
If the horses hold true to form, this one won’t be tough to handicap.
Road to the Kentucky Derby arrives at Wood Memorial, Santa Anita Derby and Blue Grass Stakes|Neil Greenberg|April 2, 2021|Washington Post
Floor plates will extend from the center to the outside perimeter in various configurations, offering what looks to be a warren of green zones and sitting areas, as well as handicap access to the exterior of the building.
The Helix is a distraction. Amazon’s new headquarters will change more than just its Arlington neighborhood.|Philip Kennicott|February 18, 2021|Washington Post
That could prove a severe handicap as the president-elect’s team prepares to take office amid a slew of threats from digital adversaries, including Russia, China and Iran.
Georgia announces hand audit|Felicia Sonmez, Colby Itkowitz, John Wagner, Derek Hawkins|November 12, 2020|Washington Post

Dwayne’s at a little bit of a handicap because he’s only been in the system a year, where Kyle’s been in it for three.
Dwayne Haskins remains Washington’s third-string QB, but Ron Rivera hasn’t given up on him|Nicki Jhabvala|November 4, 2020|Washington Post
“Lack of forward firing ordnance in a CAS supporting aircraft is a major handicap,” he added.
New U.S. Stealth Jet Can’t Fire Its Gun Until 2019|Dave Majumdar|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Unprepared, and a laughingstock because of his handicap, Yarvi is bullied on every front—even by his mother.
A Fantasy Titan Invades the YA Kingdom|William O’Connor|July 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If the rest of us have had trouble catching up to Robespierre and crew, well, we are starting from a bit of a handicap.
Why Deny the Obvious: Hollywood’s Backward Stance on Abortion|Teo Bugbee|June 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The handicap, after some needling back and forth, was fixed at eight strokes.
Portrait of the Consummate Con Man|John Lardner|May 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
McLean listened to the stranger's mild appeal for a ten-stroke handicap.
Portrait of the Consummate Con Man|John Lardner|May 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
An absence of ducats, coupled with the necessity of getting my handicap down to ten, has prevented my speaking ere this.
First Plays|A. A. Milne
We have laboured under a terrible handicap owing to an almost fatal departure from the Swadeshi spirit.
Third class in Indian railways|Mahatma Gandhi
The event of the season was the handicap race for the Cup given by the Queen, which took place on August 10.
Yachting Vol. 2|Various.
He might yet accomplish big things although he was under a terrific handicap—and he might not.
The Winning Clue|James Hay, Jr.
It is a great handicap having no one to look after things down there.
Mount Everest the Reconnaissance, 1921|Charles Kenneth Howard-Bury

British Dictionary definitions for handicap

handicap

/ (ˈhændɪˌkæp) /

noun

something that hampers or hinders

a contest, esp a race, in which competitors are given advantages or disadvantages of weight, distance, time, etc, in an attempt to equalize their chances of winning
the advantage or disadvantage prescribed

golf the number of strokes by which a player's averaged score exceeds the standard scratch score for the particular course: used as the basis for handicapping in competitive play

any physical disability or disadvantage resulting from physical, mental, or social impairment or abnormality

verb -caps, -capping or -capped (tr)

to be a hindrance or disadvantage to

to assign a handicap or handicaps to

to organize (a contest) by handicapping

US and Canadian

to attempt to forecast the winner of (a contest, esp a horse race)
to assign odds for or against (a contestant)

Word Origin for handicap

C17: probably from hand in cap, a lottery game in which players drew forfeits from a cap or deposited money in it

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

handicap

OTHER WORDS FOR handicap

OPPOSITES FOR handicap

Origin of handicap

OTHER WORDS FROM handicap

Words nearby handicap

Words related to handicap

How to use handicap in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for handicap

Word Origin for handicap