limped; limping; limps
1
a
: to walk with an uneven and usually slow movement or gait
especially
: to walk favoring one leg
The injured player limped off the field.
b
: to go unsteadily : falter
After which the conversation limped for some time …—
Henry Green
Henry Green2
: to proceed slowly or with difficulty
The ship limped back to port.
limper
noun
plural limpers
: an uneven movement or gait : a favoring of one leg while walking
1
a
: lacking firm texture, substance, or structure
limp curtains
her hair hung limp about her shoulders
b
: not stiff or rigid
a book in a limp binding
2
b
: lacking in strength, vigor, or firmness : spiritless
limply
adverb
limpness
noun
Examples of limp in a Sentence
Verb
The injured player limped off the court.
The dog was limping slightly.
The damaged ship limped back to port.
The company has somehow managed to limp along despite the bad economy.
Noun
We noticed that the dog was walking with a slight limp.
Adjective
He gave me a very limp handshake.
This plant isn't doing well—look how limp the leaves are.
Her hair hung limp around her shoulders.
I suddenly went limp and collapsed on the floor.
He was limp with fatigue.
Recent Examples on the Web
Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Engram reached for his ankle after the play and limped off the field.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
Abigail Adams, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Dholu, an energetic young male with a noticeable limp; Oldie, the greying elder who loves a belly rub; and Snoopy, a golden-eyed boy who patiently waits his turn.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
Cam Inman, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2025
Their limp exit at the 2023 World Cup was predicated on an over-reliance with the old guard, some of whom are still performing.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for limp
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Most public companies limp along with five-year returns lagging the S&P 500.
—Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Engram reached for his ankle after the play and limped off the field.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
Larry, who also had a limp and was hard of hearing, was last seen walking away from the Pied Piper Tavern in the downtown area of Kent, according to FOX affiliate KCPQ.
—Abigail Adams, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Dholu, an energetic young male with a noticeable limp; Oldie, the greying elder who loves a belly rub; and Snoopy, a golden-eyed boy who patiently waits his turn.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Running back Christian McCaffrey was questionable for the game with a calf injury, left tackle Trent Williams briefly left the game with a limp and Fred Warner missed a few plays after being treated by the 49ers’ medical staff in the first quarter.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2025
Their limp exit at the 2023 World Cup was predicated on an over-reliance with the old guard, some of whom are still performing.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for limp
Cite this Entry
“Limp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/limp. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
limp
1 of 3 verb1
: to walk with difficulty due to physical impairment
2
: to go slowly or with difficulty
limp
2 of 3 noun
: a limping movement or gait
walked with a limp
limp
3 of 3 adjective1
: not firm or stiff
limply
adverb
limpness
noun
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