Word
hamper
Phoneticsham·per, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhæmpɝ/
UK/hˈæmpɐ/
Definition
v. to make it difficult for someone to do something or for something to happen. You use this when progress is slowed down by an obstacle.
v. to hinder or impede the movement or progress of someone or something. Often implies a physical or logistical obstruction that makes a task more difficult without stopping it entirely.
Examples
“Heavy rain will hamper the rescue efforts today.”
“The narrow hallways in the old building hamper the staff's ability to move large equipment between rooms quickly.”
“While the CEO remained optimistic, analysts warned that rising interest rates and supply chain disruptions would likely hamper the company's expansion into international markets over the next fiscal year.”
Examples
simple
“Heavy rain will hamper the rescue efforts today.”
contextual
“The narrow hallways in the old building hamper the staff's ability to move large equipment between rooms quickly.”
complex
“While the CEO remained optimistic, analysts warned that rising interest rates and supply chain disruptions would likely hamper the company's expansion into international markets over the next fiscal year.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object.
Pitfall
The weather hampered from finishing the work
The weather hampered us from finishing the work
Hamper is transitive; it must be followed by an object (the person or thing being hindered) before any prepositional phrase.
Real-World Examples
“This then hampers them in education, work and relationships.” “Humidity hampers sweating—the most powerful tool the human body has to cool off.” Etymology
From Middle English hamper, contracted from hanaper, hanypere, from Anglo-Norman hanaper, Old French hanapier, hanepier (“case for holding a large goblet or cup”), from hanap (“goblet, drinking cup”), from Frankish hnapp (“cup, bowl, basin”), from Proto-Germanic hnappaz (“cup, bowl”). Cognate with Old High German hnapf (“cup, bowl, basin”) (German Napf (“bowl”)), Dutch nap (“cup”), Old English hnæpp (“bowl”). More at nap.
From Middle English hamperen, hampren (“to hamper, oppress”), probably of the same origin as English hamble (“to limp”), Scots hamp (“to halt in walking, stutter”), Dutch haperen (“to falter, hesitate”), German hemmen (“to stop, hinder, check”). More at hamble.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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