disadvantage

disadvantage — noun

1. An aspect or circumstance that creates difficulty and makes it harder for someon

1.nounB2
Definition

An aspect or circumstance that creates difficulty and makes it harder for someone or something to succeed compared with others.

Example

One big disadvantage of wooden furniture is that it scratches easily.

pattern: disadvantage of + noun phrase

Leila weighed the advantages and disadvantages before choosing a university.

common phrase: advantages and disadvantages

Common collocations
  • serious disadvantage
  • major disadvantage
  • main disadvantage
  • have the disadvantage of
  • disadvantages outweigh the advantages
Synonyms
  • drawback

    More conversational and common in everyday speech — interchangeable in most contexts.

  • downside

    Informal; often used when evaluating two sides of a situation.

  • handicap

    Stronger — suggests a serious or lasting barrier to success.

Antonyms
  • advantage

    The direct opposite — a condition that helps success.

  • benefit

    Focuses on positive gain rather than relative position.

Grammar Patterns

disadvantage + of + noun phrase / gerund

Common Mistakes

This car has a disadvantage of being expensive.
This car has the disadvantage of being expensive.
Use 'the' (not 'a') before 'disadvantage of' because the specific drawback is already identified.

2. A state in which someone has less chance of success or benefit than other people

2.nounB2
Definition

A state in which someone has less chance of success or benefit than other people in the same situation.

Example

Children who do not have books at home start school at a disadvantage.

phrase: at a disadvantage

Theo's lack of work experience put him at a disadvantage during the hiring process.

phrase: put [someone] at a disadvantage

Common collocations
  • at a disadvantage
  • at a clear disadvantage
  • put someone at a disadvantage
  • place someone at a disadvantage
  • find yourself at a disadvantage
Synonyms
  • weakness

    Focuses on the internal quality rather than the external position.

  • handicap

    Stronger; suggests the disadvantage is severe and built into the situation.

Antonyms
  • advantage

    The opposite state — being in a better position to succeed.

Grammar Patterns

at a disadvantage

at a disadvantage to + noun phrase

put / place + noun phrase + at a disadvantage

Usage Note

This sense almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'at a disadvantage' or 'at a disadvantage to someone'. It describes a relative position, not a permanent quality of a person or thing.

Common Mistakes

I am disadvantage compared to him.
I am at a disadvantage compared to him.
The preposition 'at a' is required before 'disadvantage' in this sense.

disadvantage — verb

Word family

  • disadvantaged
    adjectiveB2
  • disadvantageous
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Drawback and disadvantage are the most general terms — both refer to any feature that makes something less good or successful. Drawback feels slightly more conversational and is common in everyday speech ('The only drawback is the price'). Downside is informal and often used when weighing two sides of a decision ('the downside of working from home'). Handicap carries a stronger sense of a serious impediment that significantly limits success (e.g. 'being born into poverty is a major handicap'). Shortcoming focuses on an internal weakness or limitation of a person or system, rather than an external circumstance ('the plan's main shortcoming is its cost'). Use disadvantage for neutral or formal writing; drawback for casual discussion; handicap when the barrier is severe; and shortcoming when describing an internal flaw.

drawback ↗downside ↗handicapshortcoming ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • at a disadvantage
  • put at a disadvantage
  • place at a disadvantage
  • advantages and disadvantages
  • to someone's disadvantage

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Disadvantage is formed by adding the prefix 'dis-' (meaning 'opposite' or 'reversal') to 'advantage' (meaning 'profit' or 'upper hand'). The word 'advantage' entered English through Old French 'avantage', which traces back to the Latin phrase 'ab ante' — literally 'from before', i.e. being ahead of others. So 'disadvantage' originally expressed the idea of falling behind or being in a less favored position.