limber

1 of 3

adjective

lim·​ber ˈlim-bər How to pronounce limber (audio)
1
: having a supple and resilient quality (as of mind or body) : agile, nimble
2
: capable of being shaped : flexible
limberly adverb
limberness noun

limber

2 of 3

verb

limbered; limbering ˈlim-b(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce limber (audio)

intransitive verb

: to become limber
limber up by running

transitive verb

: to cause to become limber
limber up his fingers

limber

3 of 3

noun

: a two-wheeled vehicle to which a gun or caisson may be attached

Examples of limber in a Sentence

Adjective he shaped the basket out of limber branches that could bend easily around a frame
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Two ultra-limber actors — Hassiem Muhammad and Ryan Sellers — in garish body makeup (and dance shoes) merge limbs and psyches for an electric demonstration of poetry in motion. Peter Marks, Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2023 For thousands of years, people have turned to yoga to feel more limber, release stress and rejuvenate their overall physical and mental health. Forrest Brown, CNN, 21 June 2022 Phoenix, like all of this year’s acting favorites, has been the clear front-runner for some time, for his morose yet limber Joker. Washington Post, 5 Feb. 2020 Not surprisingly, given his experience and expertise, Djokovic came out loose, limber and locked in. Time, 2 Feb. 2020 Economists debated how much Japan’s slump owed to weak demand rather than economic rigidities, for example an insufficiently limber corporate sector. The Economist, 5 Dec. 2019 There is a core group that comes at least once a week: a mix of firefighters, teachers, politicians, lawyers, boxers and a very limber 81-year-old woman. Tiffany Martinbrough, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2018 In fact, Brady looked pretty spry and limber when stretching. Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2019
Verb
For those who like to keep their brains limber by reading about the latest developments in quantum physics, here’s a mind-bending achievement: a group of researchers in China conducted an experiment to demonstrate something called quantum pseudotelepathy. Amanda Montañez, Scientific American, 14 Dec. 2022 After gathering at 3 p.m. at the ArtsPark in Young Circle to chat and limber up, the 7- or 8-mile ride, led by organization cofounder Evan Snow, will roll to the beach and the Broadwalk and back through Hollywood Lakes. Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 1 Sep. 2022 This clever, duoverse approach first finds earnest 17-year-old Tim Walker (a charming and limber Jack Wolfe) entering the esteemed Mozart All Boys Music School, a sort of Hogwarts for gifted musicians tucked away in the Austrian Alps. Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2023 Bright, upbeat tenant Nadja (recent Petzold muse Paula Beer) is unfazed and happy to share; likewise the outgoing, socially limber Felix. Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 Feb. 2023 Instead, the butterfly opens it wings and unsteadily takes flight, landing a few feet away in full sun, flexing its wings as though trying to limber them up. Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2022 Here are five stretches to help keep you limber pre-and-post workout. Jessica Sebor, Outside Online, 26 Aug. 2022 Do these hip flexor stretches regularly to keep these key muscles long and limber. Macaela MacKenzie, Glamour, 26 Jan. 2023 This food is specially designed to meet the unique needs of sporting and working dogs, who need high amounts of protein and joint support to keep them strong and limber. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 21 June 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'limber.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

origin unknown

Noun

Middle English lymour

First Known Use

Adjective

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1748, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of limber was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near limber

Cite this Entry

“Limber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/limber. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

limber

1 of 2 adjective
lim·​ber ˈlim-bər How to pronounce limber (audio)
: bending easily : flexible, supple
limberly adverb
limberness noun

limber

2 of 2 verb
limbered; limbering
ˈlim-b(ə-)riŋ
: to make or become limber
limbered up with exercises

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