Encumber Definition

ĕn-kŭmbər
encumbered, encumbering
verb
encumbered, encumbering
To cause to have difficulty in moving or in accomplishing something; burden.
A hiker encumbered with a heavy pack; a student encumbered with responsibilities.
American Heritage
To hold back the motion or action of, as with a burden; hinder; hamper.
Webster's New World
To fill in such a way as to obstruct; block up; obstruct.
Webster's New World
To load or weigh down, as with claims, debts, etc.; burden.
Webster's New World
To burden with legal or financial obligations.
An estate that is encumbered with debts.
American Heritage
Antonyms:

Origin of Encumber

  • Middle English encombren from Old French encombrer to block up en- in en–1 combre hindrance (from Gaulish comboros)

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Old French encombrer, from en- + combrer (“to hinder”); see cumber.

    From Wiktionary

Find Similar Words

Find similar words to encumber using the buttons below.

Words Starting With

Words Ending With

Unscrambles

encumber