hamper

CEFRC1

/ˈhæm.pə/

verb · noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To make it difficult for someone or something to succeed.

  2. 02

    noun

    A large basket used for carrying or storing things.

Examples

  • A well-used creel might better not be picked as a picnic hamper.

  • Please be quiet and don't hamper my work.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
5
Synonyms
5

Also pronounced

  • /ˈham.pə/

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. A gift basket.

  2. A wicker or plastic basket specifically for holding laundry (from clothes hamper).

noun

Extra meaning

  1. A large basket, usually with a cover, used for the packing and carrying of articles or small animals.

More examples

In context

  • an oyster hamper, which contains two bushels

  • a hamper of wine

  • a clothes hamper

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The heavy rain will blank our plans for a picnic in the park.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

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.