disadvantaged

Everyday

1. Disadvantaged means having fewer chances than other people because of being poor, ill, or having a hard home life. tree →
2. (formal) The disadvantaged means people who are disadvantaged, as a group. tree →

In the lessons

In social studies and news: help for disadvantaged children, schools in disadvantaged areas. A polite official word. Phrases: disadvantaged background, disadvantaged groups, socially disadvantaged.

Examples

• The charity gives free books to disadvantaged children. tree →
• He came from a disadvantaged background but became a doctor. tree →
• The club helps disadvantaged families go on holiday. tree →
• The government gives money to the disadvantaged. tree →
• Some disadvantaged pupils get free school meals. tree →
• Being left out of the game made her feel disadvantaged. tree →

Note

Comes from "disadvantage" (a thing that makes success harder). Similar words: deprived, underprivileged, poor. "The disadvantaged" takes a plural verb: "The disadvantaged need support."