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

But due to limited funding and disparate systems, data collection and analysis remain a challenge for most states. —Jean Eddy, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

China is on a separate timeline for negotiating with the U.S., with its 90-day pause beginning May 14, though the two countries have already reached a limited deal. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 1 July 2025

For one, many states expanded vote by mail for health and safety reasons during the 2020 election, but some reverted back to more limited programs ahead of the 2024 election. —Ashley Lopez, NPR, 1 July 2025

The Firework Frappuccino hits the menu for a limited time – just one week, ending Monday, July 7. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 1 July 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