Showing results for "disadvantaged"

• past participle of disadvantage.
• past tense form of disadvantage.

disadvantaged

American  

[dis-uhd-van-tijd] / ˌdɪs ədˈvæn tɪdʒd /

adjective

1. lacking the normal or usual necessities and comforts of life, as proper housing, educational opportunities, job security, adequate medical care, etc..

   The government extends help to disadvantaged minorities.

   Synonyms:

   deprived, impoverished, underprivileged, poor

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noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. Usually the disadvantaged disadvantaged persons collectively.

   The senator advocates increased funding for federal programs that aid the disadvantaged.

disadvantaged British  

/ ˌdɪsədˈvɑːntɪdʒd /

adjective

1. socially or economically deprived or discriminated against

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Other Word Forms

• disadvantagedness
  noun
• nondisadvantaged
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of disadvantaged

First recorded in 1930–35; disadvantage + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Between them sits a shrinking field of competitors, many of whom are financially weaker, structurally disadvantaged or dependent on access to platforms they do not control.

From Salon • Jun. 21, 2026

Flying Start was originally aimed at disadvantaged areas but was gradually expanded to provide more childcare for two-year-olds.

From BBC • Jun. 16, 2026

“Gov. Newsom has made an unprecedented commitment to safe drinking water for California’s most disadvantaged communities and it’s working,” spokesperson Anthony Martinez said in an email.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

“Retail investors should not be disadvantaged by large, short-term trading flows around a major IPO event,” Shulman said.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026

What they seem not to recognize is that, as a socially disadvantaged child, I considered Spanish to be a private language.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez

Related Words

• deprived
• impaired
• impoverished
• poor
• underprivileged