disabled

UK: /dɪˈseɪb^əld/ US: (dis ā′bəld)

From the verb disable: (⇒ conjugate)

disabled is: ⓘ

v past

v past p

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

dis•a•bled  (dis ā′bəld), adj. 

1. crippled;
   injured;
   incapacitated.

n. 

2. (used with a pl. v.) persons who are crippled, injured, or incapacitated (usually prec. by the):
   Ramps have been installed at the entrances to accommodate the disabled.

• disable + -ed² 1625–35

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

disabled / dɪˈseɪb^əld/ adjective

1. (of a person) having a physical or mental condition that restricts them in their ability to move or use their senses
2. (as collective noun; preceded by the): the disabled

USAGE
It is better to refer to people with physical disabilities of various kinds by describing the specific difficulty rather than talking about the disabled as a group, which is considered somewhat offensive. Some people also object to the word disabled to refer to facilities for people with disabilities, and prefer the word accessible

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

dis•a•ble /dɪsˈeɪbəl/   v. [~ + object] , -bled, -bling. 

1. to make unable or unfit;
   weaken or destroy the capability of;
   cripple:
   That illness disabled him and left him unable to work.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

dis•a•ble  (dis ā′bəl), v.t., -bled, -bling. 

1. to make unable or unfit;
   weaken or destroy the capability of;
   cripple;
   incapacitate:
   He was disabled by blindness.
2. to make legally incapable;
   disqualify.

• dis-¹ + able 1475–85

dis•a′ble•ment, n. 
dis•a′bler, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. . enfeeble, paralyze. See cripple. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

disable / dɪsˈeɪb^əl/ verb (transitive)

1. to cause (a person) to be restricted in their ability to move or use their senses
2. to make or pronounce legally incapable
3. to switch off (an electronic device)

disˈablement noun