handicap

[han-dee-kap]

noun

1. 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.

2. the disadvantage or advantage itself.

3. any disadvantage that makes success more difficult.

   The main handicap of our business is lack of capital.

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

verb (used with object)

handicapped, handicapping 

1. to place at a disadvantage; disable or burden.

   He was handicapped by his injured ankle.

   Synonyms: incapacitate, cripple, impede, hinder
   Antonyms: help, assist, aid

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

3. to assign handicaps to (competitors).

4. Sports.

   1. to attempt to predict the winner of (a contest, especially a horse race), as by comparing past performances of the contestants.

   2. 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.

handicap

/ ˈhændɪˌkæp /

noun

1. something that hampers or hinders

2. 1. 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

   2. the advantage or disadvantage prescribed

3. 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

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

verb

1. to be a hindrance or disadvantage to

2. to assign a handicap or handicaps to

3. to organize (a contest) by handicapping

4. 1. to attempt to forecast the winner of (a contest, esp a horse race)

   2. to assign odds for or against (a contestant)

Other Word Forms

• nonhandicap noun
• overhandicap verb (used with object)
• prehandicap noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of handicap¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of handicap¹

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

Example Sentences

Awards columnist Glenn Whipp handicaps the best picture race as it stands right now.

From Los Angeles Times

Anne Thompson handicaps the race so far thus: Noting that several countries still haven’t chosen their submissions, “Cannes prizewinners have an increased profile with the international committee, including Norway’s ‘Sentimental Value’ and Brazil’s ‘Secret Agent.’

From Los Angeles Times

Though, it should be said, at this point all that election handicapping is nothing more than speculation.

From Los Angeles Times

Aston Martin locked out the back row of the grid in Belgium just a week ago, the car's high drag handicapping it on the long, high-speed sections at Spa-Francorchamps.

From BBC

On Tuesday, Norrie - a decent golfer himself with a handicap of 13 - is aiming for more British success against two-time defending Wimbledon champion Alcaraz on Tuesday.

From BBC

Related Words

• disadvantage 
• drawback 
• hindrance 
• impairment 
• impediment 
• liability 
• obstacle 
• shortcoming