What does "handicap" mean?
Something that prevents, hampers, or hinders.
Handicap
/ˈhændikæp/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Something that prevents, hampers, or hinders.
- Grammar: handicap is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: impediment, abnormality, acute disease, adjust.
- Useful contrasts: advantage, advantages, aid.
- Usage evidence: Having no will is the worst handicap.
How to use "handicap"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "handicap" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "handicap" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "handicap" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "handicap" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "handicap" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "impediment" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "handicap", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Something that prevents, hampers, or hinders. countable, uncountable
"Age is often a handicap."
- 2 advantage given to a competitor to equalize chances of winning wordnet
- 3 An allowance of a certain amount of time or distance in starting, granted in a race (or other contest of skill) to the competitor possessing disadvantages; or an additional weight or other hindrance imposed upon the one possessing advantages, in order to equalize, as much as possible, the chances of success. countable, uncountable
"The older boy won, even though his opponent had been granted a handicap of five meters."
- 4 something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress wordnet
- 5 The disadvantage itself, in particular physical or mental disadvantages of people. countable, uncountable
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness wordnet
- 7 A race or similar contest in which there is an allowance of time, distance, weight, or other advantage, to equalize the chances of the competitors. countable, uncountable
- 8 An old card game, similar to lanterloo. obsolete, uncountable
"Here some of us fell to handicap, a sport that I never knew before, which was very good."
- 9 Synonym of hand-in-cap (“old English trading game”). obsolete, uncountable
Verb
- 1 To encumber with a handicap in any contest. transitive
- 2 injure permanently wordnet
- 3 To place at disadvantage. broadly, figuratively, transitive
"The candidate was handicapped by her lack of experience."
- 4 put at a disadvantage wordnet
- 5 To estimate betting odds.
"Grandpa Andy would buy the racing form the day ahead of time so he could handicap the race before he even arrived at the track."
Show 1 more definition
- 6 attempt to forecast the winner (especially in a horse race) and assign odds for or against a contestant wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Having no will is the worst handicap."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "handicap"?
Common synonyms include: impediment, abnormality, acute disease, adjust, adjustment, advantage.
How do you use "handicap" in a sentence?
Having no will is the worst handicap.
How do you pronounce "handicap"?
Pronounced /ˈhændikæp/.
Etymology
From hand-in-cap, in reference to holding the game stakes in a cap.