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

AutoCamp is also a short walk to the main drag, sparing guests the headache of the limited parking around shops and restaurants. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026

Authorities lifted an early tsunami warning after monitoring showed limited sea-level changes, but waves of more than 5 feet were reported. — Yacob Herin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

The Beast in Me showrunner Howard Gordon knows there was one scene in the Netflix limited series that was divisive because of its brutality. — Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2026

There are limited time and resources to debate and vote on proposals. — Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 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