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

Aside from creating the maze and covering it in snow, Pawbert limps his way through the maze, very much in homage to Jack Nicholson’s character. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 29 Nov. 2025

Heavy winds had their way with the balloons, leading to Woody Woodpecker's partial decapitation, Garfield limping on just two legs, and Superman losing a hand in the trees along 77th Street. —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Nov. 2025

Noun

In the second quarter, the junior wide receiver scored an 80-yard touchdown and his momentum took him up a tunnel at Kyle Field while hobbling with a slight limp. —Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025

Between Gray’s back and Rockett’s limp, neither man wanted to walk farther than necessary to catch a bus. —Dan Horn, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Nov. 2025

Adjective

If your current towels are limp, scratchy, or just plain uninspired, Quince’s Turkish Waffle Terry Bath towels are an instant bathroom upgrade. —Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 1 Dec. 2025

Many animals may appear distressed, sluggish, or limp during appointments due to unfamiliar surroundings or anxiety. —Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025

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