encumber
[ en-kuhm-ber ]
/ ɛnˈkʌm bər /
verb (used with object)
to impede or hinder; hamper; retard: Red tape encumbers all our attempts at action.
to block up or fill with what is obstructive or superfluous: a mind encumbered with trivial and useless information.
to burden or weigh down: She was encumbered with a suitcase and several packages.
to burden with obligations, debt, etc.
QUIZZES
TAKE THIS QUIZ TO SEE WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT 2ND-3RD GRADE VOCAB FROM BOOKS!
Are you learning new vocabulary? Or do you just have an interest in words? Either way, this quiz is for you.
Question 1 of 10
orchard
Also incumber.
Origin of encumber
OTHER WORDS FROM encumber
en·cum·ber·ing·ly, adverbun·en·cum·bered, adjectiveWords nearby encumber
encrustation, encrypt, encryption, enculturate, enculturation, encumber, encumbrance, encumbrancer, ency., encyclical, encyclopedia
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for encumbering
British Dictionary definitions for encumbering
encumber
incumber
/ (ɪnˈkʌmbə) /
verb (tr)
to hinder or impede; make difficult; hamperencumbered with parcels after going shopping at Christmas; his stupidity encumbers his efforts to learn
to fill with superfluous or useless matter
to burden with debts, obligations, etc
Derived forms of encumber
encumberingly or incumberingly, adverbWord Origin for encumber
C14: from Old French encombrer, from en- 1 + combre a barrier, from Late Latin combrus, of uncertain origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012