disadvantage
disadvantage
verb
OPAL W
/ˌdɪsədˈvɑːntɪdʒ/
​disadvantage somebody/something to cause problems and tend to stop somebody/something from succeeding or making progress
Some pension plans may disadvantage women.
Many people will be greatly disadvantaged by the new tax system.
OPPOSITE advantage
TOPICS Difficulty and failure C1
disadvantage
noun
OPAL W
/ˌdɪsədˈvɑːntɪdʒ/
countable, uncountable
​something that causes problems and tends to stop somebody/something from succeeding or making progress
a serious/severe/significant disadvantage
One major disadvantage of the area is the lack of public transport.
What's the main disadvantage?
Each plan has its own advantages and disadvantages.
disadvantage to something There are disadvantages to the plan.
at a disadvantage The fact that he didn't speak a foreign language put him at a distinct disadvantage.
I was at a disadvantage compared to the younger members of the team.
Poor product quality can put a company at a competitive disadvantage.
to somebody's disadvantage | to the disadvantage of somebody I hope my lack of experience won't be to my disadvantage.
TV companies have basically bought football outright, to the complete disadvantage of the fans.
The advantages of the scheme far outweighed the disadvantages.
Many children in the class suffered severe social and economic disadvantage.
OPPOSITE advantage
TOPICS Difficulty and failure B1
[/ Collocations
adjective
big
considerable
decided
verb + disadvantage
experience
face
have
preposition
at a disadvantage
despite a/​the disadvantage
to somebody’s disadvantage…
phrases
advantages and disadvantages
place somebody at a disadvantage
put somebody at a disadvantage…
Word Origin
late Middle English: from Old French desavantage, from des- (expressing reversal) + avantage ‘advantage’.