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View synonyms for

limp

1

[limp]

verb (used without object)

  1. to walk with a labored, jerky movement, as when lame.

  2. to proceed in a lame, faltering, or labored manner.

    His writing limps from one cliché to another. The old car limped along.

  3. to progress slowly and with great difficulty; make little or no advance.

    an economy that limps along at a level just above total bankruptcy.



noun

  1. a lame movement or gait.

    The accident left him with a slight limp.

limp

2

[limp]

adjective

limper, limpest 
  1. lacking stiffness or firmness, as of substance, fiber, structure, or bodily frame.

    a limp body.

    Synonyms: , ,
  2. lacking vitality; weary; tired; fatigued.

    Limp with exhaustion, she dropped into the nearest chair.

    Synonyms: ,
  3. without firmness, force, energy, etc., as of character.

    limp, spiritless prose.

    Synonyms: ,
  4. flexible; not stiff or rigid.

    a Bible in a limp leather binding.

limp

1

/ ɪ /

verb

  1. to walk with an uneven step, esp with a weak or injured leg

  2. to advance in a labouring or faltering manner

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. an uneven walk or progress

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

limp

2

/ ɪ /

adjective

  1. not firm or stiff

  2. not energetic or vital

  3. (of the binding of a book) not stiffened with boards

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • limper noun
  • limpingly adverb
  • limply adverb
  • limpness noun
  • ˈ辱Բ adverb
  • ˈ辱Բ adjective
  • ˈ noun
  • ˈԱ noun
  • ˈ adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of limp1

1560–70; back formation from obsolete limphault lame; Old English lemphealt limping ( halt 2 ); akin to Middle High German limpfen to limp

Origin of limp2

1700–10; perhaps < Scandinavian; compare Icelandic limpa slackness, limpilegur soft, flabby
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Word History and Origins

Origin of limp1

C16: probably a back formation from obsolete limphalt lame, from Old English lemphealt; related to Middle High German limpfen to limp

Origin of limp2

C18: probably of Scandinavian origin; related to Icelandic limpa looseness
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Grounds were closed to fans as football limped through the end of the 2019-20 season.

From

Bavuma, who played the majority of his innings limping with a hamstring twang, hobbled off.

From

The extraordinary news that one person had survived the disaster quickly made international headlines, as the British national, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, was filmed limping towards an ambulance, with smoke billowing in the background.

From

He pointed to a white scuff mark on his shoe, saying that a tear gas canister had hit him in the foot, causing him to limp slightly.

From

Each time he ran away, I prayed I wouldn’t have to return from my search-and-rescue efforts with a limp body to teach my girls about death.

From

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limousine liberallimpet