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

While most fan initiatives have been student-driven or voluntary with limited authority involvement, the World Cup has effected change at a diplomatic level too. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 July 2026

Since 2017, Hebden has built up a tidy discography of sub rosa loosies and EPs under the alias, and even snuck out an ultra-limited vinyl anthology of them in 2021; some of those tracks first surfaced on the Four Tet album Parallel, in 2020. — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 18 July 2026

Even the safest options on this list work best alongside consistent sleep habits, such as a regular schedule, a cool dark room and limited screens before bed. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 18, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 July 2026

Retirement experts caution, though, that any arbitrary savings goal is of limited use, more a guidepost than a hard target. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 18 July 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