cumber

[ kuhm-ber ]

verb (used with object)

1. to hinder; hamper.
2. to overload; burden.
3. to inconvenience; trouble.

noun

1. a hindrance.
2. something that cumbers.
3. Archaic. embarrassment; trouble.

cumber

/ ˈkʌmbə /

verb

1. to obstruct or hinder
2. obsolete.
   to inconvenience

noun

1. a hindrance or burden

Derived Forms

• ˈcumberer, noun

Other Words From

• cumber·er noun
• cumber·ment noun
• over·cumber verb (used with object)
• un·cumbered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cumber¹

1250–1300; Middle English cumbre (noun), cumbren (v.), aphetic variant of acumbren to harass, defeat; encumber

Word History and Origins

Origin of cumber¹

C13: probably from Old French combrer to impede, prevent, from combre barrier; see encumber

Example Sentences

Theodore Roosevelt had already warned what would befall an Indian who refused his allotment: “Let him, like these whites, who will not work, perish from the face of the earth which he cumbers.”

From Literature

Adam objected, “and art cumbered with crutches as well. And how wilt thou cross the river? The bridge is well guarded at both ends.”

From Literature

It made him feel cumbered and foolish, and he wondered once more why he was here.

From Literature

Within these modest limits we have brought the greater part of that monstrous host of crosses which cumber the dictionaries.

From Project Gutenberg

In every day of his life he was occupied with many things, but he was never cumbered.

From Project Gutenberg