adj
challenged
CHAL-ihnjd
adj
1
Lacking a particular physical or mental ability; used, sometimes with an adverb, as a euphemistic or (in some cases) joking way to describe a limitation.
"The building has ramps for physically challenged visitors."
"He joked about being "directionally challenged" after getting lost again."
How to Use Challenged
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes someone with a stated limitation, often used as a polite euphemism, or humorously to poke fun at a minor shortcoming.
When to use it
The humorous use ("fashion-challenged," "technologically challenged") is informal and sometimes seen as flippant when applied to genuine disabilities.
Common pairings
physically challenged
mentally challenged
Word Forms
more challenged comparative, most challenged superlative
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “challenged”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The building has ramps for physically _____ visitors.