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Definition handicap in British English

handicap noun

[countable] noun
/ˈhændiˌkæp/
1

a physical or mental injury or illness that is severe and permanent. This word is now considered offensive and it is more polite to say that someone has a disability

Example

mental/physical/visual handicap

Synonyms and related words
2

a disadvantage that prevents you from doing something well

Example

They told me that my lack of experience was a handicap.

Example

His wild past could be a handicap to his ambitions.

Example

Thousands of people suffer the handicap of not being able to read or write properly.

Synonyms and related words
3

in golf, extra shots that a weaker player is allowed to take in order to make a competition fairer. As a player improves, the number of extra shots that they are allowed to take is reduced.

Synonyms and related words
4

a horse race in which the stronger riders carry extra weights in their saddle to make the competition fairer

Synonyms and related words
Definition handicap in British English