handicapped

adjective

hand·​i·​capped ˈhan-di-ˌkapt  -dē- 

sometimes offensive

: having a physical or mental disability

also : of or reserved for disabled persons

handicapped parking spaces

Examples of handicapped in a Sentence

He has been handicapped since his motorcycle accident.

Recent Examples on the Web

Still, there are a few handicapped-accessible rooms, and all of the restaurants and public areas have ramps. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026

The measure also allows vehicles displaying valid disabled parking permits or plates to occupy more than one non-handicapped parking space. — Jim Turner, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026

Closures may impact some handicapped parking spaces, but staff will designate an equal number of temporary ADA-compliant spaces for use, officials said. — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026

Catalina suffers from an unspecified mental disability, which Saavedra, who is not handicapped, performs in an arguably inappropriate register of fidgety hands and shifty-eyed glances. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 16 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing handicapped

• multi-handicapped

Rhymes for handicapped

• nonhandicapped
• adapt
• entrapped
• inapt
• kidnaped
• kidnapped
• uncapped
• unmapped
• untapped
• unwrapped
• apt
• capped

Kids Definition

handicapped

adjective

1

sometimes offensive : having a physical or mental disability

2

: of or reserved for individuals with a physical disability

handicapped parking spaces

Medical Definition

handicapped

adjective

hand·​i·​capped -ˌkapt 

sometimes offensive

: having a physical or mental disability

also : of or reserved for individuals with a physical disability

handicapped parking spaces

Legal Definition

handicapped

adjective

han·​di·​capped

: having a disability that substantially limits a major life activity (as caring for oneself, working, or having sensory functions)