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
Synonyms
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
Dan Gelston, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
Despite a hot start, going 6-1 in his first seven games, Pittsburgh limped into the postseason, dropping their final four games and losing on the road to the Baltimore Ravens in the wild-card round.
—Mike Defabo, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
Josh Yohe, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
McConnell, who has walked with a limp after overcoming polio at a young age, has taken previous falls.
—Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 10 Dec. 2024
Ryley Graham, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Jan. 2025
There are other reasons people have avoided these ingredients: When used too frequently, silicones can lead to buildup on the scalp resulting in heavy, limp hair.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for limp 
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Verb
The Eagles limped to a 1-5 regular-season finish before they were put of their misery in a wild-card loss to Tampa Bay.
—Dan Gelston, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
Despite a hot start, going 6-1 in his first seven games, Pittsburgh limped into the postseason, dropping their final four games and losing on the road to the Baltimore Ravens in the wild-card round.
—Mike Defabo, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
The Penguins played with a limp most of the evening.
—Josh Yohe, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
McConnell, who has walked with a limp after overcoming polio at a young age, has taken previous falls.
—Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
When grabbed by a predator, these dice snakes writhe, vomit and poop before finally going limp.
—Ryley Graham, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Jan. 2025
There are other reasons people have avoided these ingredients: When used too frequently, silicones can lead to buildup on the scalp resulting in heavy, limp hair.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for limp
Dictionary Entries Near limp
Cite this Entry
“Limp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/limp. Accessed 8 Feb. 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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