disabled

[ dis-ey-buh ld ]
/ dɪsˈeɪ bəld /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR disabled ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

physically or mentally impaired, injured, or incapacitated.

noun

(used with a plural verb) physically or mentally impaired persons (usually preceded by the): Ramps have been installed at the entrances to accommodate the disabled.

Origin of disabled

First recorded in 1625–35; disable + -ed2

usage note for disabled

See cripple.

OTHER WORDS FROM disabled

non·dis·a·bled, noun, adjective sem·i·dis·a·bled, adjective un·dis·a·bled, adjective

Words nearby disabled

disability, disability clause, disability insurance, disability rights commission, disable, disabled, disabled list, disablement benefit, disablism, disabuse, disaccharidase

Definition for disabled (2 of 2)

disable
[ dis-ey-buhl ]
/ dɪsˈeɪ bəl /

verb (used with object), dis·a·bled, dis·a·bling.

to make unable or unfit; weaken or destroy the capability of; incapacitate: The detective successfully disabled the bomb. He was disabled by the accident.
to make legally incapable; disqualify.

Origin of disable

First recorded in 1475–85; dis-1 + able

OTHER WORDS FROM disable

dis·a·ble·ment, noun dis·a·bler, noun

Words related to disabled

handicapped, wounded, paralyzed, weakened, infirm, lame, wrecked, hurt, maimed, confined, hamstrung, stalled, broken-down, decrepit, helpless, incapable, powerless, run-down, worn-out

Example sentences from the Web for disabled

British Dictionary definitions for disabled (1 of 2)

disabled
/ (dɪˈseɪbəld) /

adjective

  1. lacking one or more physical powers, such as the ability to walk or to coordinate one's movements, as from the effects of a disease or accident, or through mental impairment
  2. (as collective noun; preceded by the)the disabled

usage for disabled

Nowadays it is better to refer to people with physical disabilities of various kinds by describing the specific difficulty in question rather than talking about the disabled as a group, which is considered somewhat offensive. Some people also object to the word disabled to refer to facilities for people with disabilites, and prefer the word accessible

British Dictionary definitions for disabled (2 of 2)

disable
/ (dɪsˈeɪbəl) /

verb (tr)

to make ineffective, unfit, or incapable, as by crippling
to make or pronounce legally incapable
to switch off (an electronic device)

Derived forms of disable

disablement, noun

Medical definitions for disabled

disabled
[ dĭs-ā′bəld ]

adj.

Impaired, as in physical functioning.

n.

Physically impaired people considered as a group. Often used with the.