limp

verb

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\ ˈlimp

limped; limping; limps

Definition of limp

(Entry 1 of 3)

intransitive verb

1a : to walk lamely especially : to walk favoring one leg The injured player limped off the field.

b : to go unsteadily : falter the conversation limped for some time— Henry Green

2 : to proceed slowly or with difficulty the ship limped back to port

limp

noun

Definition of limp (Entry 2 of 3)

: a limping movement or gait

limp

adjective

Definition of limp (Entry 3 of 3)

1a : lacking firm texture, substance, or structure limp curtains her hair hung limp about her shoulders

b : not stiff or rigid a book in a limp binding

2a : weary, exhausted limp with fatigue

b : lacking in strength, vigor, or firmness : spiritless

Other Words from limp Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing limp Learn More About limp

Synonyms & Antonyms for limp

Synonyms: Verb

halt,
hobble

Synonyms: Adjective

Antonyms: Verb

stride

Antonyms: Adjective

Examples of limp in a Sentence

Verb The injured player limped off the court. The dog was limping slightly. The damaged ship limped back to port. The company has somehow managed to limp along despite the bad economy. Noun We noticed that the dog was walking with a slight limp. Adjective He gave me a very limp handshake. This plant isn't doing well—look how limp the leaves are. Her hair hung limp around her shoulders. I suddenly went limp and collapsed on the floor. He was limp with fatigue. See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb During a round of green-flag pit stops, Scott Dixon and his team stretched their fuel one lap too far, causing Dixon to run out and limp down the pit lane. — Rob Peeters, The Indianapolis Star, 14 May 2022 But some thoughtless engineers in Switzerland have cracked carbon capture, a half-measure allowing mankind to continue to limp along. — Dennard Dayle, The New Yorker, 29 Dec. 2021 Yet the critical service somehow managed to limp along. — Sally Ho And Josh Boak, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 Oct. 2021 The most likely scenario—as long as Russia and the United States don't get into a shooting war—remains that the ISS partnership will limp along. — Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 7 Mar. 2022 The Crimson Tide loses 3 straight to limp into the NCAA Tournament selection day. — Michael Casagrande | Mcasagrande@al.com, al, 10 Mar. 2022 At one point, Watts’ character rolls her ankle, forcing her to limp the rest of the way. — cleveland, 25 Feb. 2022 New England, which hosts Jacksonville next, is still likely to limp into postseason, but team has bled off significant momentum. — Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 29 Dec. 2021 The point of a good goal is to improve your quality of life by changing your day-to-day for the better, not to limp across the finish line and stop after a terrible ordeal. — Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Over time, my dad (who turns 66 next month), developed a limp. — Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 17 June 2022 An older woman with a limp who knew Smalls from the JFK8 warehouse rushed up to talk. — Greg Jaffe, Washington Post, 12 June 2022 Two hours later, video footage shows Coleman dragging her limp, partially naked body onto the elevator at his building and into his sixth-floor apartment. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 1 June 2022 Woods made it through another hike along the undulating terrain of Augusta National, his limp more noticeable from a right leg held together with rods and screws from his car crash 14 months ago. — Doug Ferguson, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2022 Woods made it through another hike along the undulating terrain of Augusta National, his limp more noticeable from a right leg held together with rods and screws from his car crash 14 months ago. — chicagotribune.com, 9 Apr. 2022 Baker Mayfield will be out for a shoulder surgery while the Browns (7-9) continue their limp toward the exit. — New York Times, 6 Jan. 2022 With a smile on his face and without a limp in his step, Woods took a spot on the left side of the range and quickly went through a warmup. — Steve Dimeglio, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2022 Alice was known for walking with a slight limp in her left leg after undergoing surgery two years ago that gave her a brace to help with damaged ligaments. — Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Nearby, the mother of another teen wept on the ground as her son’s body went limp on the cross. — Rob Goss, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2022 Back-channelling emerged to capture what A.S.L. speakers communicate through facial expressions—a limp hand laid on the knee could signify exhaustion, and a tense grip might indicate terror. — Andrew Leland, The New Yorker, 12 May 2022 Bad wigs, limp characterization, indifferent plotting. — Darren Franich, EW.com, 11 May 2022 The formula features a selection of powerful herbal ingredients that immediately add life to limp locks. — Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 May 2022 The elusive, prone-to-dramatic-shortages noodle, thicker and chewier than its limp cousin, spaghetti, was hard to find for a while there. — Alex Beggs, Bon Appétit, 29 Apr. 2022 Hair that’s been damaged by heat or bleach often looks dull, limp, and completely lacking in volume. — ELLE, 23 Apr. 2022 Finally, flowers should be upright, not limp, which is a sign of stress. — Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2022 Video shows Floyd complained at least 25 times of not being able to breathe - cries the officers dismissed even as the man went limp. — Holly Bailey, Anchorage Daily News, 24 Feb. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'limp.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Learn More About limp

Dictionary Entries Near limp

limousine liberal

limp

limpa

Statistics for limp

Last Updated

25 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Limp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/limp. Accessed 26 Jun. 2022.

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More Definitions for limp

limp

verb

\ ˈlimp

limped; limping

Kids Definition of limp

(Entry 1 of 3)

: to walk in a slow or uneven way because of an injury to a foot or leg … Shiloh's up limping around on his bad leg.— Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Shiloh

limp

noun

Kids Definition of limp (Entry 2 of 3)

: a slow or uneven way of walking caused by an injury to a leg or foot

limp

adjective

Kids Definition of limp (Entry 3 of 3)

: not firm or stiff The limp plants needed water.