obstacle vs handicap

handicap vs obstacle

obstacle and handicap both are nouns.

obstacle is not a verb while handicap is a verb.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
obstacle	Yes	No	No	No
handicap	Yes	No	Yes	No

As nouns, handicap is a hypernym of obstacle; that is, handicap is a word with a broader meaning than obstacle:

obstacle: something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted
handicap: something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress

Other hypernyms of obstacle include balk, baulk, check, deterrent, hinderance, hindrance, impediment.

obstacle (noun)	handicap (noun)
an obstruction that stands in the way (and must be removed or surmounted or circumvented)	advantage given to a competitor to equalize chances of winning
something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted	something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
	the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness

obstacle (verb)	handicap (verb)
	injure permanently
	put at a disadvantage
	attempt to forecast the winner (especially in a horse race) and assign odds for or against a contestant

Difference between obstacle and handicap

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