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

Lobos Vian Cumber drilled a shot from downtown just before halftime that put UNM up 31-29 heading into the break.

From Seattle Times

Cumber led a short-handed Lobos team missing two starters with 20 points.

From Seattle Times

“We have a lot of momentum,” said Husein Cumber, XpressWest’s chief strategy officer based in Las Vegas.

From Los Angeles Times

“I can carry thee right well, as the good friar did. The harp and the crutches we shall strap on so they will not cumber us.”

From Literature

“If you did this for his dad and brother, you owe it to Jeb to do it for his candidacy,” said Husein Cumber, a Florida railroad executive who volunteered on Jeb Bush’s 1998 gubernatorial campaign and for George W. Bush’s 2000 presidential run.

From Washington Post