handicap Definition
- 1a circumstance that makes progress or success difficult
- 2a disadvantage imposed on a superior competitor in sports such as golf, horse racing, and competitive sailing in order to make the chances more equal
Using handicap: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "handicap" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
His lack of experience was a handicap in finding a job.
Example
The horse was given a handicap of ten pounds.
Example
The team's injuries were a serious handicap in the game.
Example
Her hearing impairment is a handicap, but she doesn't let it stop her.
handicap Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for handicap
Idioms Using handicap
a mental handicap
a condition that affects a person's intellectual ability
Example
He was born with a mental handicap and requires special education.
Example
She has a physical handicap that requires her to use a wheelchair.
Example
The wrestler agreed to a handicap match against two other wrestlers.
Phrases with handicap
Example
He parked in the handicap spot because he has a disabled placard.
describes a building or facility that can be used by people with disabilities
Example
The hotel has handicap accessible rooms on the first floor.
a race in which horses carry different weights assigned according to their ability, so that all have an equal chance of winning
Example
The Grand National is a famous handicap race.
Origins of handicap
from 'hand in cap', a game of chance in which players draw forfeits from a cap or bag
Summary: handicap in Brief
The term 'handicap' [ˈhændɪkæp] refers to a circumstance that makes progress or success difficult, or a disadvantage imposed on a superior competitor in sports. Examples include 'His lack of experience was a handicap in finding a job.' and 'The horse was given a handicap of ten pounds.' The term extends into phrases like 'handicap accessible,' and idioms like 'a mental handicap,' denoting a condition that affects a person's intellectual ability.
