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

Those failures handicapped heroic efforts from fire crews on day one.

From The Wall Street Journal

It may transpire that Verstappen's car was handicapped when he set his fastest time.

From BBC

Hoy’s wife, Kathleen, said her late husband had medical issues, used handicapped parking and though he would sometimes “yell at traffic” she had never known him to draw his weapon.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some clearly display handicapped plaques as they go to the store.

From Salon

Efoghe said the Nigerian embassy in Tripoli was "handicapped" and could not intervene because of the political situation.

From BBC

Related Words

• disabled