ENGLISH
REFERENCE

hamper

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈhæmpɝ// UK //hˈæmpɐ// ham·per

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.


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.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

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.

Etymology 2

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.

Usage

The verb is transitive and requires a direct object.

Pitfall

The weather hampered from finishing the workThe weather hampered us from finishing the workHamper is transitive; it must be followed by an object (the person or thing being hindered) before any prepositional phrase.

© 2026 English Reference