Handicap — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈhan-di-ˌkap/ hand·i·cap

Meaning & Definition of Handicap

Handicap (noun)

  1. a race or contest in which an artificial advantage is given or disadvantage imposed on a contestant to equalize chances of winning
  2. an advantage given or disadvantage imposed usually in the form of points, strokes, weight to be carried, or distance from the target or goal
  3. a disadvantage that makes achievement unusually difficult

Handicap (verb)

  1. to give a handicap to
  2. to assess the relative winning chances of (contestants) or the likely winner of (a contest)
  3. to put at a disadvantage

Handicap (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a feature of someone or something that creates difficulty for achieving success

    "her natural shyness was not a handicap when she played chess"

    similar: debit, disadvantage, disbenefit, downside, drawback, incommodity, liability, minus, negative, strike
    related: albatross, millstone, stranglehold, disability, impairment, failing, shortcoming, bar, catch, check, clog, crimp, embarrassment, hindrance, hitch, hurdle, impediment, interference, let, manacle, obstacle, obstruction, rub, shackle, stop, trammel
    opposite: advantage, asset, edge, plus
    near: vantage, head start, jump, lead, margin, start, ascendancy, better, command, control, drop, mastery, predominance, superiority, supremacy, transcendence, upper hand, prerogative, privilege, break, opportunity, aid, assistance, help

  2. something that makes movement or progress difficult

    "her uncomfortable shoes became a handicap on the walking tour of the city, as she often had to sit and rest her sore feet"

    similar: balk, bar, block, chain, clog, cramp, crimp, deterrent, drag, embarrassment, encumbrance, fetter, hindrance, holdback, hurdle, impediment, inhibition, interference, let, manacle, obstacle, obstruction, shackles, stop, stumbling block, trammel
    related: catch, hitch, rub, snag, barrier, blockade, blockage, brick wall, stone wall, arrest, bit, brake, check, constraint, curb, hobble, rein, restraint, embargo, stoppage, delay, holdup, stall, burden, cumber, load, danger, hazard, peril, reef, adversity, difficulty, disadvantage, drawback, hardship
    near: catalyst, goad, impetus, incentive, spur, stimulant, stimulus, advantage, break, edge, aid, assistance, benefit, boost, handmaiden, help

Handicap (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to create difficulty for the work or activity of

    "the baseball player's small size did not handicap him in the least"

    similar: clog, cramp, embarrass, encumber, fetter, hamper, handcuff, hinder, hobble, hog-tie, hold back, hold up, impede, inhibit, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle, short-circuit, stymie, tie up, trammel, cramp one's style, give a hard time
    related: balk, check, constrain, curb, rein, restrain, bind, chain, halter, leash, tether, tie, arrest, brake, delay, retain, retard, barricade, block, blockade, roadblock, bog (down), mire, choke, smother, stifle, strangle, suffocate, baffle, foil, frustrate, stump, thwart, derail, disrupt, sabotage, muzzle, repress, suppress, confine, hedge (in), hem (in)
    opposite: aid, assist, facilitate, help
    near: clear, make way, open, unclog, unplug, unstop, free, liberate, release, untie, loosen, smooth, encourage, further, promote

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Handicap

The most common words with a similar meaning to Handicap:

debit, disadvantage, disbenefit, downside, drawback, incommodity, liability, minus, negative, strike, balk, bar, block, chain, clog, cramp, crimp, deterrent, drag, embarrassment, encumbrance, fetter, hindrance, holdback, hurdle, impediment, inhibition, interference, let, manacle, obstacle, obstruction, shackles, stop, stumbling block, trammel, embarrass, encumber, hamper, handcuff

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Handicap

Words with the opposite meaning of Handicap:

advantage, asset, edge, plus, aid, assist, facilitate, help

Related Words for Handicap

albatross, millstone, stranglehold, disability, impairment, failing, shortcoming, catch, check, hitch, rub, snag, barrier, blockade, blockage, brick wall, stone wall, arrest, bit, brake, constraint, curb, rein, restraint, embargo, stoppage, delay, holdup, stall, burden

Near Antonyms of Handicap

vantage, head start, jump, lead, margin, start, ascendancy, better, command, control, drop, mastery, predominance, superiority, supremacy, transcendence, upper hand, prerogative, privilege, break, opportunity, assistance, catalyst, goad, impetus, incentive, spur, stimulant, stimulus, benefit

Word Forms of Handicap

Inflections: handicapped, handicapping

Origin & Etymology of Handicap

obsolete English handicap, a game in which forfeit money was held in a cap, from hand in cap

First known use: 1751

Frequently Asked Questions about Handicap

What does "Handicap" mean?

"Handicap" means a race or contest in which an artificial advantage is given or disadvantage imposed on a contestant to equalize chances of winning. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a race or contest in which an artificial advantage is given or disadvantage imposed on a contestant to equalize chances of winning. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Handicap"?

Other words for "Handicap" include debit, disadvantage, disbenefit, downside, drawback, incommodity, liability and minus. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Handicap" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Handicap"?

There are 126 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Handicap". Common alternatives include debit, disadvantage, disbenefit, downside, drawback, incommodity, liability, minus, negative and strike.

What is the opposite of "Handicap"?

Antonyms of "Handicap" include advantage, asset, edge, plus, aid, assist, facilitate and help. Near antonyms include vantage, head start, jump and lead.

How do you use "Handicap" in a sentence?

Examples of "Handicap" in a sentence: "her natural shyness was not a handicap when she played chess"; "her uncomfortable shoes became a handicap on the walking tour of the city, as she often had to sit and rest her sore feet"; "the baseball player's small size did not handicap him in the least".

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

"Handicap" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Handicap"?

"Handicap" is pronounced /ˈhan-di-ˌkap/ and divided into syllables as hand·i·cap.

What is the origin of the word "Handicap"?

"Handicap" comes from obsolete English handicap, a game in which forfeit money was held in a cap, from hand in cap. First known use: 1751.