encumber

[ en-kuhm-ber ]

verb (used with object)

1. to impede or hinder; hamper:

   Red tape encumbers all our attempts at action.

2. to block up or fill with what is obstructive or superfluous:

   a mind encumbered with trivial and useless information.

3. to burden or weigh down:

   She was encumbered with a suitcase and several packages.

4. to burden with obligations, debt, etc.

encumber

/ ɪnˈkʌmbə /

verb

1. to hinder or impede; make difficult; hamper

   his stupidity encumbers his efforts to learn

   encumbered with parcels after going shopping at Christmas

2. to fill with superfluous or useless matter
3. to burden with debts, obligations, etc

Derived Forms

• enˈcumberingly, adverb

Other Words From

• en·cumber·ing·ly adverb
• unen·cumbered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of encumber¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English encombren, encombre, encomber, from Anglo-French, Middle French encombrer, equivalent to en- prefix + -combrer, verbal derivative of combre “dam, weir,” from early Medieval Latin combrus, from Gaulish comberos (unrecorded) “confluence, bringing together” (compare Quimper, in Brittany, from Breton Kemper ); en- ¹, com-, bear ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of encumber¹

C14: from Old French encombrer, from en- ¹+ combre a barrier, from Late Latin combrus, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

Now with a second mandate and significantly less encumbered, America, and the world, will see what he can really do.

From BBC

“We are not encumbered by a Decision Desk tonight,” Williams said early in the broadcast.

From Salon

Other people were encumbered by concerns at the time, possibly about, you know, is that libelous?

From Salon

Long encumbered by a mouthful of metal, Zachary was told by his parents Friday that he could leave his fifth-grade class early because he had an orthodontist appointment to get his braces removed.

From Los Angeles Times

McAfee wrote in his order in March that the prosecution was “encumbered by an appearance of impropriety.”

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• burden
• overburden