What does handicapped mean?
“Handicapped” is an adjective and participial form of “handicap.” Its historical use for people with physical or mental disabilities is now often regarded as dated or less respectful than “disabled,” although the word remains familiar in phrases such as “handicapped parking.” In a second sense, “handicapped” means placed at a disadvantage: an injury, technical fault, or unfavorable circumstance may handicap a competitor or reduce their chances of success. As a verb form, it describes the act of impairing or disadvantaging someone or something. The word has a curious history, deriving from “hand in cap,” a method of drawing lots by placing hands in a cap; “handicap” originally referred to a contest arranged so that unequal participants would have equal chances. Over time, it came to mean any disadvantage and was eventually applied to people with disabilities. Its history makes it both a useful example of semantic change and a reminder to distinguish between an established administrative label and more contemporary, person-centered language.
Having a physical or mental disability; now often dated or considered less respectful than “disabled.” It can also describe someone or something that is placed at a disadvantage or restricted.
"The school arranged handicapped parking near the office."
When referring to people, “disabled” or “a person with a disability” is generally more suitable in contemporary usage.
To impair, restrict, or place at a disadvantage.
"A knee injury handicapped the runner for the remainder of the season."
This is the past-tense and past-participle form of the verb “handicap.”
Disabled people collectively, especially in dated, legal, or institutional usage.
"The organization provides services for the handicapped."
This collective noun use is now dated and can sound impersonal; alternatives such as “disabled people” or “people with disabilities” are usually preferred.
The noun is normally used collectively in the same form for both singular and plural. This usage is now dated and often considered impersonal.
"The programme was designed to meet the needs of the handicapped."
The word began with a game of chance: a “hand in cap.” It later expanded to mean a disadvantage and, much later, was applied to people with disabilities.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does handicapped come from?
The word “handicapped” developed from “handicap,” which is traditionally connected with “hand in cap,” a method of drawing lots in which participants put their hands into a cap. By the eighteenth century, “handicap” was being used for a contest designed to offset differences in strength, skill, or experience, and it later broadened to mean any disadvantage or restriction. “Handicapped” came to describe someone placed at such a disadvantage and was subsequently applied to people with disabilities.
How handicapped is actually used
In modern general usage, “disabled” or “a person with a disability” is often preferred when describing people. “Handicapped” remains common in some established institutional, legal, and parking-related expressions. In other contexts, it means putting someone or something at a disadvantage.
Easily confused with handicapped
“Disabled” is the more usual modern term for a person with a disability, whereas “handicapped” is more common in older usage and in certain fixed phrases.
“Handicap” is the base verb and noun, while “handicapped” is its past-tense, past-participle, and adjective form.