# disadvantaged

/ˌdɪsədˈvænɪdʒd/ (US) · /dˌɪsɐdvˈɑːntɪdʒd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/disadvantaged
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. lacking opportunities

adjective · CEFR B2 · Formal

having less money, education, or social power than most people.

For teachers: lacking the normal privileges or resources of a society, such as wealth, education, or social status.

- The charity provides extra tutoring for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- The government launched a new initiative aimed at improving digital literacy in disadvantaged rural communities where internet access remains inconsistent.

Usage: Often used as a collective noun 'the disadvantaged' to refer to people in this condition.

Teaching tip: This is often used as a polite or 'euphemistic' way to say 'poor' in official reports and news.

## Examples

- Many disadvantaged children need extra help at school.
- The new policy aims to support disadvantaged families by providing free meals and tutoring.
- Despite the city's overall wealth, significant pockets of disadvantage remain, highlighting the persistent gap between the affluent and those left behind by economic shifts.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.