limp

1 of 3

verb

limped; limping; limps

intransitive verb

1
a
: to walk with an uneven and usually slow movement or gait
especially : to walk favoring one leg
The injured player limped off the field.
b
: to go unsteadily : falter
After which the conversation limped for some time …Henry Green
2
: to proceed slowly or with difficulty
The ship limped back to port.
limper noun
plural limpers

limp

2 of 3

noun

: an uneven movement or gait : a favoring of one leg while walking

limp

3 of 3

adjective

1
a
: 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
2
a
: weary, exhausted
limp with fatigue
b
: lacking in strength, vigor, or firmness : spiritless
limply adverb
limpness noun

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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Over the last decade, the tech giant has limped through controversies related to election interference, radicalization, disinformation, and the mental health and well-being of teens. Rashi Shrivastava, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025 Despite guiding the Terps to three consecutive bowl wins for the first time in program history, Locksley came under fire after last year’s squad limped to a 4-8 record and a 1-7 mark in the Big Ten. Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 11 Aug. 2025
Noun
TikTok users have been quick to react to Rosie's Oscar-worthy limp. Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025 Remember: do not touch a power line or anything touching a power line such as tree limps, tools and toys. David Ferrara, The Enquirer, 21 July 2025
Adjective
Fans watched in horror as his limp body descended from the rafters. Frederick Dreier, Outside, 7 Aug. 2025 If the edges of the leaves turn yellow or dry and the flowers fade and appear limp, your rose isn’t getting enough water. Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for limp

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

probably from Middle English lympen to fall short; akin to Old English limpan to happen, lemphealt lame

Adjective

akin to limp entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1818, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

circa 1706, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of limp was circa 1570

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Limp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/limp. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

limp

1 of 3 verb
1
: to walk with difficulty due to physical impairment
2
: to go slowly or with difficulty

limp

2 of 3 noun
: a limping movement or gait
walked with a limp

limp

3 of 3 adjective
1
: not firm or stiff
2
limply adverb
limpness noun

Medical Definition

limp

1 of 2 intransitive verb
1
: to walk lamely
especially : to walk favoring one leg
2
: to go unsteadily

limp

2 of 2 noun
: a limping movement or gait

More from Merriam-Webster on limp

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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