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

The proposal preserves elements of the past by focusing future development on specific portions of the lot along Melrose and limited areas in the production core, architecture firm Rios said. —Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026

But economists expressed disappointment over the government’s limited stimulus. —John Liu, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026

According to Goldman's analysis, if shipping through the Strait of Hormuz resumes within about a week, the impact on actual production would be relatively limited. —CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026

Science suggests that drinking warm water in the morning may ease constipation and stimulate digestion, but evidence on the ideal timing or temperature is limited. —Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 4 Mar. 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