hamper
hamper — verb
- hamperpresent simple I / you / we / they
- hampershe / she / it
- hamperedpast simple
- hampering-ing form
1. to make it difficult for someone or something to move, act, or advance, especial
to make it difficult for someone or something to move, act, or advance, especially by creating obstacles or restrictions.
The heavy snow hampered rescue workers trying to reach the mountain village.
passive: be hampered by [obstacle]
A lack of funding has hampered the hospital's efforts to buy new equipment.
hamper + noun phrase (efforts / progress / ability)
Astrid's injured ankle hampered her ability to walk, so she used crutches for a month.
Strict visa rules hampered the research team's plans to attend the conference in Japan.
The singer's performance was hampered by a sore throat and poor sound equipment.
- facilitate
to make a process easier
- aid
to provide help or support
文法句型
hamper + noun phrase
be hampered by + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often used in passive constructions (be hampered by). The subject of hamper is typically an external factor (weather, rules, lack of resources), not a person's own will.
常見錯誤
hamper — noun
- hampersingular
- hampersplural
1. a large basket or box, usually rectangular and fitted with a lid, used for stori
a large basket or box, usually rectangular and fitted with a lid, used for storing or carrying household items.
The family kept their camping gear in a large wicker hamper in the garage.
wicker hamper
Grandma stored her quilts in an old wooden hamper with a carved lid.
Ignacio packed a picnic hamper with sandwiches, fruit, and lemonade for the park outing.
Aoi bought a new plastic hamper to organize her art supplies in the study room.
用法筆記
This is the broadest noun sense. A hamper may be made of wicker, plastic, or wood. It can be used for laundry, food, or general storage. For the laundry-specific meaning, see sense 3.
2. a decorative box or basket filled with food, wine, or other treats, offered as a
a decorative box or basket filled with food, wine, or other treats, offered as a gift for a holiday or celebration.
For the holiday, the firm sent each employee a gift hamper with snacks and tea.
gift hamper
The hotel welcomed its guests with a hamper containing local cheese, wine, and chocolate.
Benjamin's grandmother prepared a Christmas hamper with homemade cookies and jam for the family.
Hugo ordered a wine hamper for his sister's wedding anniversary.
- gift basket
more common in American English for the same concept
- care package
informal; typically sent to someone far away, not necessarily associated with holidays
用法筆記
This sense is especially common in British English. A Christmas hamper is a traditional gift in the UK, often ordered from a catalogue or shop.
3. a basket or bin used to hold dirty clothing, towels, and bed linen until they ar
a basket or bin used to hold dirty clothing, towels, and bed linen until they are washed.
Stephanie tossed her dirty jeans into the laundry hamper before taking a shower.
laundry hamper
The plastic hamper in the bathroom was overflowing with towels and bed sheets.
Zuri carried the wicker laundry hamper down to the basement washing machine.
Noa emptied the bathroom hamper before the guests arrived for the weekend.
- laundry basket
often open and without a lid; more common in American English
- clothes basket
informal; same function
用法筆記
In everyday conversation, this is the most common meaning of the noun hamper. In American English, laundry basket is also very common; hamper generally refers to a covered basket, while basket may be open.