disadvantaged
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
having less money, education, or social power than most people.
lacking the normal privileges or resources of a society, such as wealth, education, or social status.
Simple“The charity provides extra tutoring for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.”
In context“The government launched a new initiative aimed at improving digital literacy in disadvantaged rural communities where internet access remains inconsistent.”
UsageOften used as a collective noun 'the disadvantaged' to refer to people in this condition.
Teacher's tipThis is often used as a polite or 'euphemistic' way to say 'poor' in official reports and news.
SynonymsAntonyms
Usage disadvantaged backgrounds
“Success should no longer be measured only by how many people from historically disadvantaged groups enter a profession.”
“More worrying still are the geographical disparities dividing economically disadvantaged parts of the north and Midlands from the wealthy south - and especially London.”