First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1disadvantage
noun dis·ad·van·tage \ˌdis-əd-ˈvan-tij\
: something that causes difficulty : something that makes someone or something worse or less likely to succeed than others
: a bad or undesirable quality or feature
: loss, damage, or harm
Full Definition of DISADVANTAGE
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>
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Origin of DISADVANTAGE
Middle English disavauntage, from Anglo-French desavantage, from des- dis- + avantage advantage
2disadvantage
verb
Definition of DISADVANTAGE
transitive verb
: to place at a disadvantage : harm
First Known Use of DISADVANTAGE
circa 1534
DISADVANTAGE Defined for Kids
disadvantage
noun dis·ad·van·tage \ˌdis-əd-ˈvan-tij\
Definition of DISADVANTAGE for Kids
: a state or condition that favors someone else <Our late start was a disadvantage in the race.>
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