Hamper
verb/noun
Base: hamper | Past: hampered | Past Participle: hampered | -ing: hampering | 3rd person: hampers
Definition
1. To prevent someone doing something easily.
2. A large basket with a lid.
2. A large basket with a lid.
Context Alive
The rescue team was ready to go, but the heavy snowfall hampered their efforts to reach the stranded hikers. Roads were blocked, visibility was almost zero, and every step forward felt like a battle against nature itself.
Meanings
2 meanings
1
To Prevent Someone Doing Something Easily (Verb) — VERY COMMON
Common
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This meaning is about something making it difficult to do what you want — slowing you down or getting in the way. Imagine trying to run but your heavy backpack hampers your movement, making every step harder than it should be. This is being hampered — blocked or slowed down. You might say that bad weather hampered the search operation, or someone could complain that lack of funding hampered their research. Or picture a detective whose investigation is hampered by witnesses who refuse to talk. The word suggests frustration — you want to move forward but something keeps holding you back. ✏️ Often used in news: “Rescue efforts were hampered by…” or “Progress has been hampered by…”
Vivid ExampleThe construction project was hampered by months of unexpected delays — first the permits took forever, then the materials arrived late, and finally half the workers called in sick during the busiest week.
2
A Large Basket with a Lid (Noun) — COMMON
Common
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This meaning is about a big container, usually made of wicker or similar material, with a cover on top. Imagine a sunny afternoon in the park — a family spreads out a blanket and opens a beautiful wicker hamper full of sandwiches, fruit, and drinks. This is a hamper — a basket for carrying things. You might pack a picnic hamper for a day at the beach, or someone could receive a Christmas hamper filled with fancy foods and wine as a gift. Or picture a bathroom corner where a laundry hamper sits overflowing with dirty clothes waiting to be washed. The word describes a practical, often attractive container. ✏️ In British English, “hamper” often means a gift basket of food and drinks. In American English, “hamper” commonly refers to a laundry basket.
Vivid ExampleFor their anniversary, he surprised her with a beautiful picnic hamper packed with cheese, wine, fresh bread, and strawberries, and they spent the whole afternoon eating and laughing by the river.
Examples from the Street
“The bad weather really hampered our travel plans.”
The poor conditions made our trip much more difficult / got in the way
“Just throw your dirty clothes in the hamper.”
Put your laundry in the basket (American English)
“We sent them a Christmas hamper full of food and wine.”
A gift basket packed with nice things to eat and drink (British English)
Common Patterns
hamper [noun/efforts/progress] → make something more difficult or slower
be hampered by [noun] → be held back or restricted by something
hamper someone’s ability to [verb] → make it harder for someone to do something
seriously/severely hampered → significantly restricted or held back
hamper growth/development/recovery → slow down progress
laundry hamper → basket for dirty clothes (mainly American)
Christmas/gift hamper → basket of food and treats given as a present (mainly British)
picnic hamper → basket for carrying food outdoors
food/wine hamper → gift basket containing gourmet items
put/throw something in the hamper → place dirty laundry in the basket
Collocations
3 collocationshamper progress
slow down or block advancement
hamper efforts
make someone's work more difficult
hampered by
restricted or slowed by something
Example Sentences
12 examples
1
The investigation was hampered by a lack of evidence and uncooperative witnesses
The inquiry was held back by insufficient proof and people who refused to help.
2
Heavy fog hampered rescue efforts throughout the night
Thick mist made the emergency response much more difficult until morning.
3
His knee injury seriously hampered his performance in the match
The problem with his leg significantly affected how well he played in the game.
4
Bureaucracy continues to hamper small businesses trying to grow
Red tape keeps getting in the way of smaller companies attempting to expand.
5
Poor internet connection hampered our ability to work from home effectively
A weak online signal made it harder for us to do our jobs remotely.
6
Economic sanctions have severely hampered the country’s development
Trade restrictions have drastically slowed down the nation’s progress.
7
Can you put your dirty socks in the laundry hamper instead of leaving them on the floor?
Could you throw your worn socks in the clothes basket rather than dropping them everywhere?
8
We received a lovely Christmas hamper from the company — it had cheese, wine, and chocolates
The firm sent us a beautiful festive gift basket filled with gourmet treats.
9
She packed a picnic hamper with sandwiches, fruit, and lemonade
She filled an outdoor basket with food and drinks for our lunch in the park.
10
His shyness hampered him socially, making it hard to make new friends
His reserved nature held him back in social situations and made meeting people difficult.
Learner Examples
★
Limited vocabulary can seriously hamper a student’s ability to express complex ideas in English
Not knowing enough words can significantly hold back a learner’s capacity to communicate sophisticated thoughts.
★
Large class sizes often hamper teachers’ efforts to give individual attention to struggling students
Having too many pupils frequently makes it harder for instructors to focus on those who need extra help.
Synonyms & Antonyms
7 items
Synonymshinder
making progress more difficult
obstruct
blocking the way
impede
slowing down progress
hold back
preventing someone from advancing
Antonymshelp
making things easier
facilitate
enabling progress
assist
providing support