disabilities
disabilities — noun
1. A physical or mental condition that lasts for a long time and affects a person's
A physical or mental condition that lasts for a long time and affects a person's ability to do everyday activities, move around, learn, or communicate in ways that most people can do without help.
The Chen family renovated their bathroom to make it safer for their son, who has a mobility disability.
mobility disability: affecting movement and walking
Yuki's visual disability means she relies on screen-reading software to do her job as a programmer.
visual disability + screen-reading software collocation
Children with learning disabilities often benefit from one-on-one teaching support at school.
- condition
Broader; can refer to any state of health, not just permanent limitations ('a heart condition').
- impairment
More clinical; often used by medical professionals to describe a lost or reduced function ('visual impairment').
- disorder
Typically refers to a medical or psychological disturbance ('anxiety disorder'), not always tied to functional limitation.
- ability
General capacity to do something; the positive counterpart.
文法句型
disability in [body part/mental area]
learning disability
physical disability
用法筆記
Singular 'disability' names one specific condition ('a hearing disability'), while 'disabilities' as a plural can refer to several conditions or, more commonly, be used as a collective mass noun ('rights for people with disabilities'). Many style guides now prefer 'people with disabilities' or 'persons with disabilities' over 'the disabled'.
常見錯誤
2. Money paid regularly by the government to people who have a long-term condition
Money paid regularly by the government to people who have a long-term condition that prevents them from working or makes it very difficult to earn enough to support themselves.
After the accident, Marcus applied for government disability payments to cover his rent and basic expenses.
apply for disability payments: formal request process
Priya's disability payments allow her to attend physiotherapy sessions twice a week without worrying about the cost.
The night-shift nurse explained to the patient how to fill out the forms to claim disability benefits.
- disability benefits
More formal term often used in official government contexts.
- sick pay
Different; paid by an employer during short-term illness, not long-term government support.
- social security
Broader; covers pensions, unemployment, and other welfare programmes, not just disability.
文法句型
disability payments
on disability
claim disability
disability benefits
用法筆記
In this sense, 'disabilities' is typically uncountable ('she is on disability') or used in the plural 'disability payments/benefits.' The singular 'disability' can also refer to the payment system itself ('He receives disability').