Definition of "handicap" in English

noun

1. Something that prevents, hampers, or hinders.

   • Age is often a handicap.

2. (sports) An allowance of a certain amount of time or distance in starting, granted in a race (or other contest of skill) to the competitor possessing disadvantages; or an additional weight or other hindrance imposed upon the one possessing advantages, in order to equalize, as much as possible, the chances of success.

   • The older boy won, even though his opponent had been granted a handicap of five meters.
   • A handicap in chess often involves removal of the queen's rook.

3. (sometimes considered offensive) The disadvantage itself, in particular physical or mental disadvantages of people.

4. A race or similar contest in which there is an allowance of time, distance, weight, or other advantage, to equalize the chances of the competitors.

5. (obsolete, uncountable, card games) An old card game, similar to lanterloo.

6. (obsolete, uncountable) Synonym of hand-in-cap (“old English trading game”).

verb

1. (transitive) To encumber with a handicap in any contest.

2. (transitive, figurative, by extension) To place at disadvantage.

   • The candidate was handicapped by her lack of experience.

3. To estimate betting odds.

   • Grandpa Andy would buy the racing form the day ahead of time so he could handicap the race before he even arrived at the track.