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

• 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

In addition to starring in Wayward as a small-town cop suspicious of a local academy for troubled teens, Martin wrote for and executive produced the limited series. —Frank Digiacomo, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2025

Participants are encouraged to bring their own shovel, gloves, and rakes as limited tools will be provided at the event. —Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025

But her apparent alignment with Democrats is also limited. —Chad De Guzman, Time, 13 Oct. 2025

This all said, there’s also only so much a limited, non-authoritarian government can do or should do about loosely held together political movements. —Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 13 Oct. 2025

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