Handicapping - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Handicapping is the process of assigning advantages or disadvantages to competitors to equalize their chances of winning, often used in sports or games to ensure fair competition.
Definition:
Assigning disadvantages to equalize competition or assessing abilities for fairness.
Synonyms:
disadvantaging, rating, assessing, ranking
Part of Speech:
noun, verb (gerund/present participle)
Antonyms:
favoring, advantaging
Common Collocations:
handicapping system, handicapping race, handicapping weight, handicapping event
Derivatives:
handicapped, handicapper
Usage Tips:
Use 'handicapping' as a noun for competitive adjustments or as a verb describing the act of assigning disadvantages.
Common Phrases:
level the playing field, give a head start, odds-on favorite
Etymology:
Originates from 'hand in cap,' an old betting game where penalties were drawn from a cap.
Examples:
- 1. The handicapping system ensures fair competition among runners of different abilities.
- 2. She enjoys handicapping horses before placing her bets at the racetrack.
- 3. Golf tournaments often use handicapping to balance players' skill levels.
- 4. Handicapping students based on their past performance can motivate improvement.