disadvantaged

adjective

1. lacking the normal or usual necessities and comforts of life, as proper housing, educational opportunities, job security, adequate medical care, etc.: The government extends help to disadvantaged minorities.

noun

2. (used with a plural verb) disadvantaged persons collectively (usually preceded by the): The senator advocates increased funding for federal programs that aid the disadvantaged.

noun

1. absence or deprivation of advantage or equality.
2. the state or an instance of being in an unfavorable circumstance or condition: to be at a disadvantage.
3. something that puts one in an unfavorable position or condition: His bad temper is a disadvantage.
4. injury to interest, reputation, credit, profit, etc.; loss: Your behavior is a disadvantage to your family’s good name.

verb (used with object), dis·ad·van·taged, dis·ad·van·tag·ing.

5. to subject to disadvantage: I was disadvantaged by illness.

adjective

1. socially or economically deprived or discriminated against

noun

1. an unfavourable circumstance, state of affairs, thing, person, etc
2. injury, loss, or detriment
3. an unfavourable condition or situation (esp in the phrase at a disadvantage)

verb

4. (tr) to put at a disadvantage; handicap

adj.

1610s, past participle adjective from disadvantage (v.). Of races or classes deprived of opportunities for advancement, from 1902, a word popularized by sociologists. As a noun, shorthand for disadvantaged persons, it is attested by 1939.

n.

late 14c., disavauntage, from Old French desavantage (13c.), from des- (see dis-) + avantage (see advantage).

v.

1530s, from disadvantage (n.). Related: Disadvantaged; disadvantaging.