hinder
C1Formal
Definition
Meaning
to make it difficult for something to happen or for someone to do something; to delay or impede progress.
To create obstacles, prevent, or hold back a process, person, or thing from proceeding or developing smoothly.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies active or passive obstruction. Can be used both for physical barriers and abstract difficulties. When used as an adjective (less common), it means 'located at the back or rear'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. The adjective form ('hinder' meaning rear) is archaic in both but slightly more preserved in British technical/archaic contexts.
Connotations
Generally negative in both, implying frustration or unwanted delay.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in written and formal contexts in both varieties. The verb is more common than the adjective.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
NP ___ NP (The rain hindered our progress.)NP ___ NP from -ing (Bad policy hindered the company from growing.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To stand in someone's way”
- “To throw a spanner in the works (UK) / To throw a wrench in the works (US) – are conceptual parallels.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"Regulatory hurdles can hinder market entry for new firms."
Academic
"The lack of primary sources hindered the research project."
Everyday
"This heavy traffic is really hindering us."
Technical
"Friction hinders the free movement of the mechanism."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Poor weather hindered the rescue operation in the Lake District.
- He felt his lack of formal qualifications might hinder his career prospects.
American English
- High tariffs could hinder trade between the two countries.
- The injury didn't hinder her from completing the marathon.
adjective
British English
- The horse injured its hinder leg. (archaic/technical)
American English
- The dog's hinder quarters were muddy. (archaic/technical)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The big box hindered the door.
- The bad weather hindered our travel plans.
- His shyness sometimes hinders him at work.
- Bureaucratic red tape continues to hinder economic recovery.
- The lack of funding severely hindered the research project.
- The court's injunction effectively hindered the company's ability to launch the product.
- Deep-seated cultural prejudices can hinder the integration of minority groups.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a HIND (a female deer) standing in your path, blocking you. A HINDer blocks your way.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROGRESS IS A JOURNEY (obstacles hinder the traveller).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'хинди' (Hindi language).
- Closer to 'мешать', 'препятствовать', 'затруднять'.
- Avoid using as a direct translation for 'задерживать' when it simply means 'to be late'.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing pronunciation with 'hinter'/'hinterland'.
- Incorrect: 'It hinders me to work.' Correct: 'It hinders my work.' or 'It hinders me from working.'
- Overuse in informal contexts where 'slow down' or 'get in the way of' is more natural.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'hinder' CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is more common in formal, written, and academic contexts. In everyday speech, people might say 'get in the way of', 'slow down', or 'hold up'.
'Hinder' means to make something more difficult or slow it down, but not necessarily stop it completely. 'Prevent' means to stop something from happening altogether.
It is pronounced /ˈhɪndər/. The 'i' is short as in 'hit', and the stress is on the first syllable. It does NOT rhyme with 'finder'.
Rarely. The adjective 'hinder' (meaning 'rear' or 'back') is considered archaic and is mostly found in older texts or specific technical contexts like describing animal anatomy. The verb is vastly more common.