handicap

American  

[han-dee-kap] / ˈhæn diˌkæp /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

Origin of handicap

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

Explanation

A mental or physical disadvantage, such as blindness or a missing leg, is a handicap: something that disables you in some way. Handicaps can also be imposed artificially to even out the odds in sporting events. A sporting handicap might be a faster horse carrying an extra weight, or a better golfer having a few strokes added to her score to make things more competitive. Sometimes fate imposes a handicap, as when bad weather handicaps your travel plans, or a strike handicaps the subway system. Handicap comes from the term hand in cap, an ancient British practice in which two bettors placed their money into a hat held by a neutral third party before a bet.

Example Sentences

The author, who once sported a 6 handicap, experienced diminished swing, ball and foot speed, making golf demoralizing from middle tees.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

The parking lot remains out of commission along with handicap access.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2026

Rules helped the U.S. monitor and handicap bad actors.

From Barron's • Jan. 5, 2026

This team will more than likely go to a golf course, put their phone away and immerse themselves in chasing a scratch handicap for four hours.

From BBC • Nov. 18, 2025

Unlike the Kentucky Derby, which was limited to three-year-old horses, the handicap would be open to any mature horse, three years old and up.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Related Words

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