Disability — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˌdis-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē/ dis·abil·i·ty

Meaning & Definition of Disability

Disability (noun)

  1. a physical, mental, cognitive, or developmental condition that impairs, interferes with, or limits a person's ability to engage in certain tasks or actions or participate in typical daily activities and interactions; also, impaired function or ability
  2. an impairment (such as a chronic medical condition or injury) that prevents someone from engaging in gainful employment
  3. an impairment (such as spina bifida) that results in serious functional limitations for a minor

Disability (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a condition that interferes with someone's ability to engage in certain tasks

    "The group provides one-on-one mentorship to students with various disabilities."

    "The disability caused by the car crash prevented him from working."

    similar: disablement, impairment, affliction, damage, detriment, dysfunction, harm, hurt, injury, malady, incapability, incapacity, debilitation, incapacitation, defectiveness, failing, fault, weakness, deficiency, deficit, imperfection, inability, inadequacy, inadequateness, incompleteness, insufficience, insufficiency, lack, need, shortcoming, shortfall, want, debit, disadvantage, disbenefit, downside, drawback, handicap, incommodity, liability, minus, negative, strike
    opposite: ability, capability, capableness, capacity, competence, competency, faculty

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Disability

The most common words with a similar meaning to Disability:

disablement, impairment, affliction, damage, detriment, dysfunction, harm, hurt, injury, malady, incapability, incapacity, debilitation, incapacitation, defectiveness, failing, fault, weakness, deficiency, deficit, imperfection, inability, inadequacy, inadequateness, incompleteness, insufficience, insufficiency, lack, need, shortcoming, shortfall, want, debit, disadvantage, disbenefit, downside, drawback, handicap, incommodity, liability

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Disability

Words with the opposite meaning of Disability:

ability, capability, capableness, capacity, competence, competency, faculty

Word Forms of Disability

Inflections: disabilities

Origin & Etymology of Disability

dis- + ability, after disable

First known use: 1545

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Disability

Words & Phrases Containing Disability

developmental disability, intellectual disability, learning disability

Frequently Asked Questions about Disability

What does "Disability" mean?

"Disability" means a physical, mental, cognitive, or developmental condition that impairs, interferes with, or limits a person's ability to engage in certain tasks or actions or participate in typical daily activities and interactions; also, impaired function or ability. As a noun, it is defined as: a physical, mental, cognitive, or developmental condition that impairs, interferes with, or limits a person's ability to engage in certain tasks or actions or participate in typical daily activities and interactions; also, impaired function or ability.

What is another word for "Disability"?

Other words for "Disability" include disablement, impairment, affliction, damage, detriment, dysfunction, harm and hurt. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Disability" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Disability"?

There are 43 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Disability". Common alternatives include disablement, impairment, affliction, damage, detriment, dysfunction, harm, hurt, injury and malady.

What is the opposite of "Disability"?

Antonyms of "Disability" include ability, capability, capableness, capacity, competence, competency and faculty.

How do you use "Disability" in a sentence?

Examples of "Disability" in a sentence: "The group provides one-on-one mentorship to students with various disabilities."; "The disability caused by the car crash prevented him from working.".

Is "Disability" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Disability" is a noun.

Is "Disability" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Disability" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Disability"?

"Disability" is pronounced /ˌdis-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē/ and divided into syllables as dis·abil·i·ty.