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

Jagwar looks a very fairly handicapped horse, but opinion seems completely split on him.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

Byron Callan, a defense analyst at Washington, D.C.–based Capital Alpha Partners, which advises investors on government policy matters, has handicapped five possible outcomes in Iran.

From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025

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

From Salon • Apr. 1, 2025

But I had little knowledge of Marxism, and in political discussions with my Communist friends I found myself handicapped by my ignorance of Marxist philosophy.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• disabled