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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

Harris enters election day presumed to capture 226 votes from Democratic-leaning states, according to the Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election handicapper.

From Los Angeles Times Nov. 5, 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

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