handicap

Everyday

1. Something that makes it harder for you to do well, a disadvantage, as in «Being small was a handicap in basketball». tree →
2. (sport) In golf, horse racing and some games, a handicap is a score or weight that makes the contest fair between stronger and weaker players. tree →
3. (old-fashioned, now often hurtful) A disability; today people usually say «disability» instead. tree →
4. (verb) To make it harder for someone to do something. tree →

In the lessons

In sport, a golfer's handicap shows how good they are: the lower the number, the better. In maths problems about races, a «handicap» start gives some runners a head start. In citizenship lessons, children learn that «handicapped» is old-fashioned and many find it hurtful; say «disabled person» or «person with a disability».

Examples

• Not having a map was a big handicap. tree →
• Grandpa's golf handicap is 12. tree →
• The racehorse carried extra weight as a handicap. tree →
• Being new to the school was a handicap at first. tree →
• The bad weather handicapped the rescue team. tree →
• People now say «disabled» rather than «handicapped». tree →

Note

Double p in «handicapped», «handicapping». In golf, a lower handicap means a better player. «Handicap» meaning disability is old and may cause offence.