differently abled

adjective

: having a disability : disabled sense 1a
The sports program and foundation offers a dozen different sporting events for differently abled athletes, plus instruction about modeling, acting and public speaking.Lynnette Hintze
sometimes objected to as an awkward or condescending euphemism
… the #saytheword campaign to urge both the media and everyday speakers to use the words disabled and disability rather than mealy-mouthed euphemisms such as differently abledEllen Samuels

Examples of differently abled in a Sentence

won a gold metal in the Paralympics, an international Olympic competition for the differently abled
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Its wellness pool has a ramp for wheelchairs to encourage differently abled to make the most of these soothing waters, which provide relief to tired joints and muscles or nurture sensitive skin. Savannah Romero, Outside Online, 6 Oct. 2023 The nonprofit also glommed onto the fact that technology trials for sortation and other forms of preparation must be a priority because many of its employees are differently abled, meaning that adaptations will need to be made. Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019 This especially includes people who are differently abled and need clothes that accommodate their needs, or wear specific religious or cultural dress like hijabs or burkas. Ebony-Renee Baker, refinery29.com, 6 Feb. 2024 To be a dark-skinned Black woman in this world — particularly if your identity also intersects with being fat, or differently abled, or older, or unconventionally attractive, or trans — is to be a constant target of indifference, invisibilization, neglect, suspicion, violence. Allure Editors, Allure, 29 Dec. 2021 Kelly, an Australian The X-Factor sensation who describes himself as differently abled, is looking to drive greater inclusivity and accessibility in the film, TV and music industries via Outlyer by ending stigmas around people with disabilities. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 May 2022 In her newest book, Black Disability Politics, Dr. Sami Schalk, Associate Professor of Gender and Women’s Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison discusses the parallels between racial activism and advocacy for the differently abled. Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 25 Oct. 2022 This week, Level Up U’s 104 participants graduated from the pilot program, 73% of whom are from non-majority backgrounds, including women, veterans, the differently abled, and people of color. Paolo Confino, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2022 There is still a huge amount of work to be done, especially with people who are differently abled. Marta Balaga, Variety, 5 Aug. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1980, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of differently abled was in 1980

Dictionary Entries Near differently abled

Cite this Entry

“Differently abled.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/differently%20abled. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

differently abled

adjective
dif·​fer·​ent·​ly abled ˈdif-ərnt-lē-ˈā-bəld, ˈdif-(ə-)rənt- How to pronounce differently abled (audio)
: having a disability : disabled sense 1
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!