disadvantage

1 of 2

noun

dis·​ad·​van·​tage ˌdis-əd-ˈvan-tij 

1

: loss or damage especially to reputation, credit, or finances : detriment

the deal worked to their disadvantage

2

a

: an unfavorable, inferior, or prejudicial condition

we were at a disadvantage

b

: a quality or circumstance that makes achievement unusually difficult : handicap

his lack of formal schooling was a serious disadvantage

disadvantage

2 of 2

verb

disadvantaged; disadvantaging; disadvantages

transitive verb

: to place at a disadvantage : harm

Synonyms of disadvantage

Noun

• handicap
• drawback
• liability

Examples of disadvantage in a Sentence

Noun

She had the disadvantage of growing up in a poor community.

They argued that the new regulations would place their company at a competitive disadvantage in the marketplace.

There are advantages and disadvantages to the new system.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Kiley or any Republican would start a race against Bera with a disadvantage, Turner said, because Democrats will outnumber Republicans. —David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 12 Nov. 2025

In fact, a 2024 British Journal of Sports Medicine study funded in part by the IOC found that trans women athletes may face several disadvantages when competing with cisgender women, such as less lower body strength and a lower maximum rate of oxygen consumption than both cis women and cis men. —Abby Monteil, Them., 11 Nov. 2025

Verb

More than 30% of those students are socioeconomically disadvantaged, the dashboard indicated, and 10% speak English as a second language. —Sacbee.com, 11 Nov. 2025

Some experts also expressed concerns that a complex refund process could disadvantage small businesses. —Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English disavauntage, from Anglo-French desavantage, from des- dis- + avantage advantage

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1550, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing disadvantage

• put/place someone at a disadvantage
• to someone's disadvantage

Rhymes for disadvantage

• advantage
• vantage

Kids Definition

disadvantage

1 of 2 noun

dis·​ad·​van·​tage ˌdis-əd-ˈvant-ij 

1

: loss or damage especially to one's good name or finances

the deal worked to our disadvantage

2

a

: a state or condition that favors someone else

was at a disadvantage in educated company

b

: something not helpful : a cause of difficulty

disadvantage

2 of 2 verb

disadvantaged; disadvantaging

: to place at a disadvantage : harm