Words / B2

HAND-eek-ap/ˈhændikæp/

A handicap is a disadvantage that makes success harder, or a sporting scoring system: a handicap to trade; a golf handicap. Obstacle and impediment are close twins. In modern UK English, do not use handicap for a disabled person — say disability. Treat a language handicap in the study as a disadvantage, not a medical label. Mix-up: handy; cap. Do not copy outdated “the handicapped” from an old source without comment.

Meaning

A disadvantage that makes success harder; also a sporting scoring system (a golf handicap).

Examples

• “Treat a language handicap in the study as a disadvantage, not a medical label.”
• “A golf handicap featured in the sports source, which is the scoring-term sense.”

Good to know

a handicap to; golf handicap; handicapped (avoid for people). Close: disadvantage / obstacle. Trap: disability wording. Sport, economics, and PSHE. A disadvantage or a scoring term, not a label for a person.

Near in meaning

disadvantage, obstacle, impediment

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