unencumbered
Americanadjective
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not impeded, slowed down, or retarded; free to move, advance, or go forward.
-
having few or no burdens or obligations.
-
not burdened or weighed down, as with bulky or heavy objects.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of unencumbered
Explanation
When you're unencumbered, you're free of baggage: either you literally don't have a lot of stuff to carry, or you're emotionally care-free. This word has two closely related uses. A person is unencumbered when they're traveling light — they're not struggling to carry 5 suitcases. But if you have no worries or responsibilities, you're also unencumbered — nothing is weighing on your mind. In both senses being unencumbered means you feel light: either literally or emotionally.
Vocabulary lists containing unencumbered
The Things They Carried
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The Girl Who Drank the Moon
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "U"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Keeping recommendation systems as "unencumbered and free to operate as possible" helps with that.
From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026
This story is part of Image’s March Outside issue, a celebration of the Los Angeles outdoors and the many lives to be lived under its unencumbered sky.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026
The youngster said he started heading for shore with just his life jacket but later abandoned it to swim unencumbered.
From Barron's • Feb. 3, 2026
The U.S. position would allow foreign nations, including Russia and China, the right to unencumbered transit through the passage.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 30, 2025
On Halloween, even, one may hide porch chairs unencumbered by one’s heavy coat.
From "Go Set a Watchman: A Novel" by Harper Lee
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
