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

But there are limited facilities equipped to take in the thousands of primates that may need continued medical monitoring. —Madeleine May, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025

Short throw projectors are able to effectively project large images within a limited space. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2025

If not, visibility may stay limited to darker, northern regions. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 Dec. 2025

In addition to Bell (Nobody Wants This) and Thompson (Back to the Future), the limited engagement in February will star Camille Chen (Game Night). —Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 22 Dec. 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