handicap
[noun]
Synonyms:
- disadvantage, barrier, drawback, hindrance, impediment, limitation, obstacle, restriction, stumbling block
- advantage, head start
- disability, defect, impairment
[verb]
Synonyms:
- restrict, burden, encumber, hamper, hamstring, hinder, hold back, impede, limit

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Antonyms: asset
Related Words: burden, encumbrance, load, embarrassment

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. hand‧i‧cap¹ /ˈhændikæp/ noun [countable]
[Date: 1700-1800; Origin: handicap 'game in which people put their hand, holding money for a bet, into a hat' (1600-1700), from hand in cap]

1. old-fashioned if someone has a handicap, a part of their body or their mind has been permanently injured or damaged. Many people think that this word is offensive.

2. a situation that makes it difficult for someone to do what they want:
Not speaking the language is a real handicap.

3. an advantage that is given to a weaker player in a game of golf:
He’s improved a lot, and his handicap has come down from 18 to 12.

4. a race for horses in which the best horses carry extra weight so that all the horses have an equal chance of winning

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. handicap² verb (past tense and past participle handicapped, present participle handicapping) [transitive]
to make it difficult for someone to do something that they want or need to do:
The charity is handicapped by lack of funds.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

handicap
noun
I. physical/mental disability
ADJ. serious, severe | mild | mental, physical, visual She can't drive because of her visual handicap.
VERB + HANDICAP be born with, have, suffer (from) Over a million people in Great Britain suffer from mental handicap.
cause | cope with, overcome She has managed to overcome her physical handicaps.
PREP. despite a/the ~ Despite her handicap, Jane is able to hold down a full-time job.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

handicap
II. disadvantage
ADJ. big, considerable, great, major, real, serious, severe, terrible Lack of transport was a major handicap.
VERB + HANDICAP have, suffer If you don't speak the language, you've got a real handicap.
prove His lack of height can prove a handicap against tall players.
PREP. despite a/the ~ | ~ to This could be a serious handicap to her education.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲