How Do You Spell HANDICAP?

Pronunciation: [hˈandɪkˌap] (IPA)

The word "handicap" refers to a disadvantage or challenge faced by an individual. The spelling of this word can seem tricky, but it can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription. The first syllable is pronounced /ˈhænd/, using the phonetics "h" for the /h/ sound, "a" for the short /æ/ sound, and "nd" for the /nd/ sound. The second syllable is pronounced /kæp/, using "k" for the /k/ sound, "a" for the short /æ/ sound, and "p" for the /p/ sound. Together, the word is pronounced /ˈhændikæp/.

HANDICAP Meaning and Definition

1. Handicap can serve as both a noun and a verb, possessing various meanings depending on the context. As a noun, it primarily refers to a physical or mental impairment that limits an individual's abilities to perform certain tasks, often resulting in a developmental disadvantage or hindered functioning. It can also encompass a disadvantage given that individual in competitive activities, such as sports, to equalize opportunities for different skill levels. Furthermore, handicap can denote a numerical score representing a player's expected performance in a game or competition, used to determine advantageous conditions or adjust scoring accordingly.

   As a verb, handicap denotes the act of placing a disadvantage or impediment, often to make conditions more equal. This can apply to a range of situations, such as assigning additional weight or challenges to equilibrate competition or providing accommodations to ensure fairness for individuals with disabilities.

   In a broader sense, handicap can extend to any disadvantage, obstacle, or limitation that hampers a person's progress or success in a particular area of life. This encompasses circumstances beyond physical or mental impairments, such as societal or environmental barriers. The term is also employed metaphorically to describe various forms of setbacks or hindrances that impede progress or achievement, both individually and collectively.

2. A race in which the horses carry different weights according to age and character for speed, or are placed at different distances, or start at different times, &c., with the view of equalising the chances as nearly as possible; the term is said to have been originally applied to the method of settling a bargain by putting a hand with money into a cap.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for HANDICAP *

• handicapp 35.1351351%
• handycap 22.5225225%
• hadicap 9.9099099%
• hanicap 9.009009%
• handcap 2.7027027%
• handciap 2.7027027%
• hadicp 1.8018018%
• handiccap 1.8018018%
• handicapt 1.8018018%
• handipcap 1.8018018%
• handiicap 1.8018018%
• handica 1.8018018%
• handicape 1.8018018%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for HANDICAP

• handicaped
• hadycap
• handycapp
• andicap
• handicappe
• handiecap
• handicp
• handicaper
• handicapps
• hanidcap
• handsoap
• handycaps
• handicapes
• hndicap
• handeca

Etymology of HANDICAP

The word handicap originated in 17th century England and initially referred to a game of chance called hand in cap. This game involved drawing the names of the players from a hat or cap. When one player was deemed to have an advantage, often due to being more skilled, the weaker player would receive a disadvantage or a handicap. Over time, the term handicap was adopted into other areas, such as sports, to describe a disadvantage given to a contestant or competitor to level the playing field. The word handicap combines the terms hand (referring to the drawing of names from a cap) and cap.

Similar spelling words for HANDICAP

• handclap,
• handclasp,
• handicapped,
• handcraft,
• handicraft,
• handcuff,
• handcart,
• hamitic,
• handicaps,
• handicapper,
• handcar.

Plural form of HANDICAP is HANDICAPS

Conjugate verb Handicap

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have handicapped

you would have handicapped

he/she/it would have handicapped

we would have handicapped

they would have handicapped

I would have handicap

you would have handicap

he/she/it would have handicap

we would have handicap

they would have handicap

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been handicapping

you would have been handicapping

he/she/it would have been handicapping

we would have been handicapping

they would have been handicapping

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would handicap

you would handicap

he/she/it would handicap

we would handicap

they would handicap

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be handicapping

you would be handicapping

he/she/it would be handicapping

we would be handicapping

they would be handicapping

FUTURE

I will handicap

you will handicap

he/she/it will handicap

we will handicap

they will handicap

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be handicapping

you will be handicapping

he/she/it will be handicapping

we will be handicapping

they will be handicapping

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have handicapped

you will have handicapped

he/she/it will have handicapped

we will have handicapped

they will have handicapped

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been handicapping

you will have been handicapping

he/she/it will have been handicapping

we will have been handicapping

they will have been handicapping

IMPERATIVE

you handicap

we let´s handicap

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to handicap

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was handicapping

you were handicapping

he/she/it was handicapping

we were handicapping

they were handicapping

PAST PARTICIPLE

handicapped

PAST PERFECT

I had handicapped

you had handicapped

he/she/it had handicapped

we had handicapped

they had handicapped

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been handicapping

you had been handicapping

he/she/it had been handicapping

we had been handicapping

they had been handicapping

PRESENT

I handicap

you handicap

he/she/it handicaps

we handicap

they handicap

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am handicapping

you are handicapping

he/she/it is handicapping

we are handicapping

they are handicapping

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

handicapping

PRESENT PERFECT

I have handicapped

you have handicapped

he/she/it has handicapped

we have handicapped

they have handicapped

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been handicapping

you have been handicapping

he/she/it has been handicapping

we have been handicapping

they have been handicapping

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it handicap

SIMPLE PAST

I handicapped

you handicapped

he/she/it handicapped

we handicapped

they handicapped