limited

adjective

lim·​it·​ed ˈli-mə-təd 

1

a

: confined within limits : restricted

limited success

b

of a train : offering faster service especially by making a limited number of stops

2

: characterized by enforceable limitations prescribed (as by a constitution) upon the scope or exercise of powers

a limited monarchy

3

: lacking breadth and originality

… a bit limited; a bit thick in the head …

—Virginia Woolf

limitedly adverb

limitedness noun

Synonyms of limited

• restricted
• finite
• defined
• definite

Examples of limited in a Sentence

Only a limited number of students will be allowed in the class.

People with limited incomes are hit particularly hard by inflation.

The company has had limited success.

Recent Examples on the Web

The contract includes a limited no-trade clause, blocking eight teams without consent. — Mac Engel july 26, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 July 2026

Consumers who would normally pick up the iOS update on an older phone won’t have this option available, except on a very limited set of older iPhones that ship with 12 GB. — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026

Computer vision, artificial intelligence, onboard navigation, and target recognition can allow an interceptor to pursue another drone with limited human involvement. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026

Finally, the movie is getting a limited awards qualifying run in theaters instead of a full theatrical release. — Joe Otterson, Variety, 25 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing limited

• limited-access
• limited edition
• limited liability
• limited liability partnership
• limited partner
• limited partnership
• limited war
• self-limited
• sex-limited

Rhymes for limited

• delimited
• unlimited

Kids Definition

limited

adjective

lim·​it·​ed

1

: held within limits

2

: having constitutional limitations placed on the exercise of power

a limited monarchy

limitedly adverb

limitedness noun