handicap

American  

[han-dee-kap] / ˈhæn diˌkæp /

noun

1. a race or other contest in which certain disadvantages or advantages of weight, distance, time, etc., are placed upon competitors to equalize their chances of winning.

2. the disadvantage or advantage itself.

3. any disadvantage that makes success more difficult.

   The main handicap of our business is lack of capital.

4. Sometimes Offensive. a physical or mental disability making participation in certain of the usual activities of daily living more difficult.

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verb (used with object)

handicapped, handicapping

1. to place at a disadvantage; disable or burden.

   He was handicapped by his injured ankle.

   Synonyms:

   incapacitate, cripple, impede, hinder

   Antonyms:

   help, assist, aid

2. to subject to a disadvantageous handicap, as a competitor of recognized superiority.

3. to assign handicaps to (competitors).

4. Sports.

   1. to attempt to predict the winner of (a contest, especially a horse race), as by comparing past performances of the contestants.

   2. to assign odds for or against (any particular contestant) to win a contest or series of contests.

      He handicapped the Yankees at 2-to-1 to take the series from the Cardinals.

handicap British  

/ ˈhændɪˌkæp /

noun

1. something that hampers or hinders

2. 1. a contest, esp a race, in which competitors are given advantages or disadvantages of weight, distance, time, etc, in an attempt to equalize their chances of winning

   2. the advantage or disadvantage prescribed

3. golf the number of strokes by which a player's averaged score exceeds the standard scratch score for the particular course: used as the basis for handicapping in competitive play

4. any physical disability or disadvantage resulting from physical, mental, or social impairment or abnormality

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verb

1. to be a hindrance or disadvantage to

2. to assign a handicap or handicaps to

3. to organize (a contest) by handicapping

4. 1. to attempt to forecast the winner of (a contest, esp a horse race)

   2. to assign odds for or against (a contestant)

Other Word Forms

• nonhandicap noun
• overhandicap verb (used with object)
• prehandicap noun

Etymology

Origin of handicap

1640–50; 1870–75 handicap for def. 8; originally hand i' cap hand in cap, referring to a drawing before a horse race

Example Sentences

The new Siri is proving to be difficult because Apple came into the AI race by handicapping itself.

From Barron's

Her Greek birthplace came to be a lifelong handicap: the Hoxha regime was convinced she was a foreign spy.

From The Wall Street Journal

It may transpire that Verstappen's car was handicapped when he set his fastest time.

From BBC

This team will more than likely go to a golf course, put their phone away and immerse themselves in chasing a scratch handicap for four hours.

From BBC

While she is an up-and-comer with a handicap that lists her as scratch golfer, placing her in the top 1% of women in the U.S., the American Junior Golf Association lists her 461st among girls.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• disadvantage
• drawback
• hindrance
• impairment
• impediment
• liability
• obstacle
• shortcoming