Disabled: meaning, definitions and examples

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disabled

 

[ dɪˈseɪbld ]

Adjective / Verb
Context #1 | Adjective

inability to perform a physical or mental activity

Having a disability means being unable to perform certain physical or mental activities to the same extent as others. Disabilities can vary in their severity and can affect different aspects of a person's life.

Synonyms

challenged, handicapped, impaired

Examples of usage

  • Many people with disabilities face challenges in accessing public buildings due to a lack of wheelchair ramps.
  • Employers should provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities to ensure equal opportunities.
  • People with disabilities have the right to live independently and participate fully in society.
Context #2 | Verb

to make unable to perform a physical or mental activity

To disable someone or something is to make them unable to perform a certain physical or mental activity. This can be done intentionally or unintentionally, and can have significant consequences for the individual or object being disabled.

Synonyms

cripple, deactivate, incapacitate

Examples of usage

  • The hacker disabled the company's website by launching a cyber attack.
  • Accidents can disable a person temporarily or permanently, depending on the severity of the injury.
  • War can disable soldiers both physically and mentally, leading to long-term consequences.

Translations

Translations of the word "disabled" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desativado

🇮🇳 अक्षम

🇩🇪 behindert

🇮🇩 cacat

🇺🇦 інвалід

🇵🇱 niepełnosprawny

🇯🇵 無効

🇫🇷 désactivé

🇪🇸 desactivado

🇹🇷 devre dışı

🇰🇷 비활성화된

🇸🇦 معطل

🇨🇿 zakázán

🇸🇰 zakázaný

🇨🇳 禁用

🇸🇮 onemogočen

🇮🇸 óvirkur

🇰🇿 өшірулі

🇬🇪 გამორთული

🇦🇿 dəfə

🇲🇽 desactivado

Etymology

The term 'disabled' originated from the Middle English word 'disablen', which means 'to deprive of ability'. The concept of disability has evolved over time, with a shift towards a more inclusive and rights-based approach. In the past, people with disabilities were often marginalized and excluded from society. However, there has been a growing recognition of the rights of people with disabilities, leading to increased efforts to promote accessibility and inclusion.

See also: disability, disablement, disabler, disabling.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,556, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.