limped; limping; limps
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
Henry Green2
: to proceed slowly or with difficulty
The ship limped back to port.
limper
noun
plural limpers
: an uneven movement or gait : a favoring of one leg while walking
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
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
Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 12 Oct. 2025
Raiola took a shot late in the first half from Maryland defensive lineman Cam Rice, who hit the QB and knocked him down as Raiola limped toward the sideline after his second pick.
—Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Sep. 2025
Earlier, Pearsall came through with four catches to spur along that 11-play, 63-yard drive, which Jones walked away from with a limp.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2025
Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 10 Oct. 2025
Raeleigh Phillips-Steelsmith, 24, of Lawrenceburg, admitted to reckless homicide in September in connection with the death of her 9-day-old son, Emmett Phillips, who was found cold, blue and limp in March 2024, Dearborn County Prosecutor Lynn Deddens said.
—Fox19 Staff, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for limp
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Verb
All four sacks and 10 of the 11 tackles for loss came in the first half, which ended with the Broncos limping to a 17-14 lead, despite outgaining the Lobos 187 yards to 62.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 12 Oct. 2025
Raiola took a shot late in the first half from Maryland defensive lineman Cam Rice, who hit the QB and knocked him down as Raiola limped toward the sideline after his second pick.
—Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
The senior played a few snaps on the second series and just one snap on TCU’s third series before running off the field with a slight limp and signaling for freshman Dozie Ezukanma to come into the game.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Sep. 2025
Earlier, Pearsall came through with four catches to spur along that 11-play, 63-yard drive, which Jones walked away from with a limp.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
However, many stylists specifically recommend the treatment for anyone with fine, limp, lifeless hair that tends to get oily, in particular.
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 10 Oct. 2025
Raeleigh Phillips-Steelsmith, 24, of Lawrenceburg, admitted to reckless homicide in September in connection with the death of her 9-day-old son, Emmett Phillips, who was found cold, blue and limp in March 2024, Dearborn County Prosecutor Lynn Deddens said.
—Fox19 Staff, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for limp
Cite this Entry
“Limp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/limp. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
limp
1 of 3 verb1
: 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 adjective1
: not firm or stiff
limply
adverb
limpness
noun
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