disadvantagenoun [ C or U ]
uk/ˌdɪs.ədˈvɑːn.tɪdʒ/us/ˌdɪs.ədˈvæn.t̬ɪdʒ/B1 a condition or situation that causes problems, especially one that causes something or someone to be less successful than other things or people:
One disadvantage of living in the town is the lack of safe places for children to play.
We need to consider whether the disadvantages of the plan outweigh the advantages.
at a disadvantage
C2 in a situation in which you are less likely to succeed than others:
He's at a disadvantage being so shy.
This new law places/puts poorer families at a distinct disadvantage.
More examples
- He had the added disadvantage of being the only man present.
- You have to set the advantages of the scheme against the disadvantages.
- Wherever you choose to live there are always going to be disadvantages.
- Whichever option we choose there'll be disadvantages.
- Her book sentimentalizes parenthood and completely ignores the disadvantages of it.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Advantage and disadvantage
- a free ride idiom
- a stick to beat sb with idiom
- advantage
- an ace up your sleeve idiom
- attraction
- be/stay/keep one jump ahead idiom
- cash
- cash in on sth
- edge
- fish
- it's tough at the top idiom
- lock in sth
- lock sb out of sth
- lose out
- make a virtue (out) of sth idiom
- piggyback
- profit
- profit from sth
- you've got nothing to lose idiom
- your best/strongest/trump card idiom
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disadvantageous
adjective uk/ˌdɪsˌæd.vənˈteɪ.dʒəs/us/ˌdɪsˌæd.vænˈteɪ.dʒəs/
disadvantageverb [ T ]
uk/ˌdɪs.ədˈvɑːn.tɪdʒ/us/ˌdɪs.ədˈvæn.t̬ɪdʒ/to cause someone or something to be less successful than most other people or things:
Teachers claim such measures could unfairly disadvantage ethnic minorities.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Advantage and disadvantage
- a free ride idiom
- a stick to beat sb with idiom
- advantage
- an ace up your sleeve idiom
- attraction
- be/stay/keep one jump ahead idiom
- cash
- cash in on sth
- edge
- fish
- it's tough at the top idiom
- lock in sth
- lock sb out of sth
- lose out
- make a virtue (out) of sth idiom
- piggyback
- profit
- profit from sth
- you've got nothing to lose idiom
- your best/strongest/trump card idiom
See more results »