encumber
C1Formal, literary, legal, administrative.
Definition
Meaning
To burden or weigh someone or something down, making movement or action difficult.
To hamper, impede, or obstruct progress, function, or freedom, often through the imposition of physical, financial, or administrative burdens.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Carries a strong implication of being weighed down by something heavy, cumbersome, or restrictive. Often used figuratively for non-physical burdens (e.g., debt, regulations, emotional baggage). The related adjective is 'encumbered'; the state of being encumbered is 'encumbrance'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. Both varieties use it in legal contexts regarding property (e.g., 'encumbered title').
Connotations
Slightly more common in formal British legal/administrative writing, but equally formal in American English.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech for both, but appears in comparable formal contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[NP] encumber [NP] (with [NP])[NP] be/become encumbered (by/with [NP])Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms. The noun 'encumbrance' features in the formal/literary phrase 'without let or hindrance or encumbrance' (legal).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to debt-laden companies ('encumbered by loans') or processes slowed by bureaucracy.
Academic
Used in history/political science to discuss states 'encumbered by treaty obligations' or systems 'encumbered with complexity'.
Everyday
Rare. Might describe being physically weighed down by shopping bags or figuratively by responsibilities.
Technical
In law: property with an 'encumbered title' (has liens/covenants). In computing: 'encumbered code' (has licensing restrictions).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The new data protection regulations must not encumber legitimate business research.
- She found herself encumbered by an enormous rucksack.
American English
- He didn't want to encumber the company with more long-term debt.
- The quarterback was encumbered by two defensive linemen.
adverb
British English
- Not typically used as an adverb. The related form 'encumberedly' is extremely rare and non-standard.
American English
- Not typically used as an adverb. The related form 'encumberedly' is extremely rare and non-standard.
adjective
British English
- The encumbered estate was difficult to sell.
- He moved in an encumbered fashion, clutching several files.
American English
- The encumbered vehicle could not be registered until the lien was cleared.
- Her encumbered thinking prevented a clear decision.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The heavy snow encumbered the rescue workers.
- Too many rules can encumber a simple process.
- The inheritance was encumbered with complex legal conditions.
- Start-ups are often encumbered by a lack of capital.
- The treaty encumbers the state with obligations that may conflict with its sovereignty.
- His philosophical arguments are not encumbered by excessive technical jargon.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CUMBERsome (clumsy, heavy) backpack you have to carry; it ENCUMBERS you.
Conceptual Metaphor
BURDEN IS A PHYSICAL WEIGHT; OBSTACLE IS A PHYSICAL BLOCK.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation to 'обременять' in all contexts, as the Russian word can be more neutral. 'Encumber' is stronger, implying a significant hindrance. For lighter burdens, use 'burden' or 'load'. The noun 'encumbrance' is closer to 'бремя' or 'помеха'.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'encumber' with 'incumbent' (which means obligatory or current holder of a post).
- Using it in overly casual contexts where 'slow down' or 'get in the way of' would be more natural.
- Misspelling as 'incumber'.
Practice
Quiz
In a legal context, what does it mean if a property title is 'encumbered'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Encumber' specifically implies being weighed down by a burden (physical or figurative), making action slow or difficult. 'Hinder' is broader, meaning to simply create an obstacle or delay, not necessarily through a burden (e.g., bad weather can hinder travel, but not encumber it).
Almost never. Its core meaning is negative, involving an undesirable burden or obstruction. A possible rare exception might be ironic or literary use.
'Encumbered' (describing the person/thing burdened) is far more common than the present participle 'encumbering' (describing the thing causing the burden).
'Encumbrance' is the standard noun, meaning a burden or impediment, often used in legal/financial contexts (e.g., 'a financial encumbrance').
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