What does encumber mean?
Word: Encumber
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Encumber means to weigh someone down or get in their way, so that moving or doing something becomes hard.
Synonyms: weigh down
How do you spell encumber?
Syllables: en - cum - ber
Tricky part: The ending is -ber. Encumbar is the usual slip, and encumbre comes from words such as sombre.
Watch out for: encumbar, encumbre
Memory tip: The last months of the year all end in ber. Picture carrying a bag that grows heavier every month until December.
Encumber in a sentence
Example 1: Heavy boots will only encumber you on a sandy beach.
Example 2: The firm was encumbered by old rules that no longer made sense.
Example 3: She left her coat behind so that nothing would encumber her during the race.
Fun Fact
It comes from an Old French word meaning to block up. The English word cumbersome, for something large and hard to manage, belongs to the same family.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
enncumber
a) m
b) b
c) n
d) c
Show answer
c) n. The opening en has just one n, as in enclose.
Mingle-Mangle
Unscramble the jumbled word in the sentence and choose the correct word:
Heavy schoolbags bnucreme the youngest pupils on the walk uphill.
a) encounter
b) encumber
c) enumerate
d) remember
Show answer
b) encumber. Remember takes a second m, and encounter and enumerate both need a t.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word encumber as used in the sentence:
Extra duties would only encumber the team's busy captain.
a) burden
b) hinder
c) hamper
d) relieve
Show answer
d) relieve. Taking duties away would relieve the captain, the reverse of adding to the load.
Spell-o-Spell
Three of these words are spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of the misspelt word:
1. luggage 2. impedimant 3. encumber 4. porter
a) bags taken on a trip
b) a person paid to carry bags
c) to slow someone with a load
d) something that delays progress
Show answer
d) something that delays progress. Impediment ends in ment, as argument does.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A trek guide says, 'Do not let your bag encumber you.' She wants you to ____.
a) carry only what you need
b) walk at the very back
c) leave your water behind
d) buy the largest bag around
Show answer
a) carry only what you need
2. Long robes encumbered the actors on stage. What probably happened?
a) they could not move freely
b) they moved with far greater ease
c) the lights grew much brighter
d) the audience heard them better
Show answer
a) they could not move freely
