Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for handicapper. Search instead for handicappers.

handicapper

American  
[han-dee-kap-er] / ˈhæn diˌkæp ər /

noun

  1. Horse Racing.

    1. a racetrack official or employee who assigns the weight a horse must carry in a race.

    2. a person employed, as by a newspaper, to make predictions on the outcomes of horse races.

  2. a person who determines the handicaps that will be placed on competitors.


handicapper British  
/ ˈhændɪˌkæpə /

noun

  1. an official appointed to assign handicaps to competitors in such sports as golf and horse racing

  2. a newspaper columnist employed to estimate the chances that horses have of winning races

"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

Etymology

Origin of handicapper

First recorded in 1745–55; handicap + -er 1


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Every horse in training is giving an official rating by the handicapper based on the level that they run to.

From BBC ● Apr. 10, 2026

But what made Siegel a must-know personality in racing was his ability as a handicapper.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2025

The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election handicapper, calls this year’s election a toss-up.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2024

Been given a chance by the handicapper, carrying 6lb less this time.

From BBC ● Apr. 13, 2023

He stormed around the office and shouted about the irresponsibility of the handicapper.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Just like flashcards, but way more fun

Don't take our word for it. Leave the boring studying behind and join VocabTrainer today. You'll learn even faster and never look back.

Take me to Vocabulary.com