limp

1 of 3

verb

ˈlimp 

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

Synonyms of limp

Verb

• shuffle
• hobble
• halt
• stumble

Adjective

• floppy

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

Verb

Because of the pitch counts, the Warriors need these two role players to play well enough — and crucially, score enough — to drag this (literally) limping roster to a postseason victory. —Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026

The Heat have limped to the finish line this year, losing 10 of their last 15 games as their defense has cratered. —Tim Rohan, NBC news, 14 Apr. 2026

Noun

Rough waters Butler said in the Friday statement that Brian Hooker had fallen overboard the night he was arrested amid rough waters, causing an injury to his knee that has caused a limp and an abrasion. —Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 10 Apr. 2026

By January, Jack developed a limp. —Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026

Adjective

Despite pleas from her mom, the child was not taken to a hospital until her body went limp in her mother's arms. —ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026

His limp body, which his familial assailants tried to burn with charcoal briquets, was found in Gary, Indiana, authorities said. —Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026

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

Rhymes for limp

• blimp
• chimp
• crimp
• imp
• pimp
• shrimp
• skimp
• wimp

Kids Definition

limp

1 of 3 verb

ˈlimp 

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

: weary entry 1 sense 1, exhausted

limply adverb

limpness noun

Medical Definition

limp

1 of 2 intransitive verb

ˈlimp 

1

: to walk lamely

especially : to walk favoring one leg

2

: to go unsteadily

limp

2 of 2 noun

: a limping movement or gait