What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
handicap
Example
The athlete overcame his handicap and won the race. [handicap: noun]
Example
Her hearing impairment was a handicap in her job as a receptionist. [handicap: adjective]
hindrance
Example
The heavy traffic was a hindrance to our arrival at the airport. [hindrance: noun]
Example
Her lack of experience was a hindrance to her promotion. [hindrance: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hindrance is more commonly used than handicap in everyday language. Hindrance is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while handicap is less common and is mostly used in the context of sports or competitions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between handicap and hindrance?
Both handicap and hindrance are relatively formal words, but handicap may be more technical due to its use in sports and competitions.
