hindrance

C2 Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /ˈhɪndɹəns/ See IPA manual

Freq #30460

Meanings

1

noun
Something that makes it harder to do something; an obstacle.

His lack of experience proved to be a real hindrance.
2

noun
The act of holding something back or getting in its way.

She finished the work without hindrance from anyone.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · something that makes it... hitch

2 noun · the act of holding... interference

More bar barrier drag encumbrance hurdle impediment obstacle obstruction roadblock

Word family

Forms hindrances

Related forms hinder

Etymology

From Middle English hinderance, hinderaunce, hindraunce, hynderaunce, hynderawnce, hynderawns, hyndrance; equivalent to hinder + -ance.

hinderance Middle English

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Abstract Ideas

External links

# hindrance

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈhɪndɹəns/
**Frequency rank:** 30460

## Meanings
1. Something that makes it harder to do something; an obstacle.
2. The act of holding something back or getting in its way.

## Examples
- His lack of experience proved to be a real hindrance.
- She finished the work without hindrance from anyone.

## Synonyms
- bar
- barrier
- drag
- encumbrance
- hitch
- hurdle
- impediment
- obstacle
- obstruction
- roadblock

## Related Forms
- hinder

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: hinderance

## Etymology
From Middle English hinderance, hinderaunce, hindraunce, hynderaunce, hynderawnce, hynderawns, hyndrance; equivalent to hinder + -ance.

## AI Etymology
Hindrance is from Middle English hinderance, hinderaunce, hindraunce, hynderaunce, hynderawnce, hynderawns, hyndrance; equivalent to hinder + -ance. The analysis is mainly morphological: the modern nominal form is built from the named base and affix. Important recorded forms include hinderance (Middle English). Current senses include something that makes it harder to do something; an obstacle and the act of holding something back or getting in its way. The wider family includes related words such as hinder.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas

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