handicapper

noun

hand·​i·​cap·​per ˈhan-di-ˌka-pər How to pronounce handicapper (audio)
-dē-
1
: a person who assigns handicaps
2
: a person who predicts the winners in a contest (such as a horse race)
3
: a person who competes with a (specified) handicap (as in golf)
usually used in combination
a 5-handicapper

Examples of handicapper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Instead of working with the best of the best, Haney now instructs amateur players of all ages and abilities, ranging from low handicappers to the dreamer who just wants to break 90. Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025 Top political handicappers tweak their predictions Los Tigres del Norte has been outspoken in championing the rights of Latinos and immigrants living in the United States. Rafael Carranza, The Arizona Republic, 31 Oct. 2024 The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election handicapper, calls this year’s election a toss-up. Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2024 The election handicapper rated the race as one of just three 2026 Senate toss-ups. Jared Gans, The Hill, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for handicapper

Word History

First Known Use

1751, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of handicapper was in 1751

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Cite this Entry

“Handicapper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handicapper. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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