# hamper

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈhæm.pə/ · frequency rank #20,659

## Definitions
1. A large basket, usually with a cover, used for the packing and carrying of articles or small animals.
2. A wicker or plastic basket specifically for holding laundry (from clothes hamper).
3. A gift basket.

## Etymology
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.

## Easily confused with
- **homer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hamper-vs-homer)
- **hater** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hamper-vs-hater)
- **happen** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hamper-vs-happen)
- **harder** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hamper-vs-harder)
- **harper** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hamper-vs-harper)
- **hopper** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hamper-vs-hopper)
- **helper** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hamper-vs-helper)
- **hooper** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hamper-vs-hooper)
- **hanger** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hamper-vs-hanger)
- **Hauser** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hamper-vs-hauser)
- **hander** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hamper-vs-hander)
- **hawker** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hamper-vs-hawker)
- **Humber** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hamper-vs-humber)
- **hatter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hamper-vs-hatter)
- **hummer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hamper-vs-hummer)
- **happier** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hamper-vs-happier)
- **hamster** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hamper-vs-hamster)
- **Hamer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hamer-vs-hamper)
- **Haber** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/haber-vs-hamper)
- **hammer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hammer-vs-hamper)

## Common misspellings (9)
`ahmper`, `hamepr`, `hammper`, `hamperr`, `hampper`, `hampre`, `hapmer`, `hhamper`, `hmaper`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/hamper