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
Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024
He was rolled up on and limped off the field after a Saquon Barkley run.
—Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024
Joy Jackson , Eula Calahan, arkansasonline.com, 8 Dec. 2024
Video of his release circulated widely on social media, where his dramatic weight loss and severe limp showed a major contrast to his appearance before his arrest.
—Guy Davies, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2024
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 24 Dec. 2024
Another bystander who came to Penny's aid offered to hold Neely's arms down so Penny could let go of Neely's neck, but instead Penny kept tight hold even after Neely's body went limp, Yoran told jurors.
—Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for limp 
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Verb
Wisner limped off but was able to return for a handful of carries in the second half.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024
He was rolled up on and limped off the field after a Saquon Barkley run.
—Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
As a result, Goose will always have a slight limp because his leg is now a bit shorter.
—Joy Jackson , Eula Calahan, arkansasonline.com, 8 Dec. 2024
Video of his release circulated widely on social media, where his dramatic weight loss and severe limp showed a major contrast to his appearance before his arrest.
—Guy Davies, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2024
Adjective
One awkward swipe at the ball in a preseason game left Shamet clutching his limp shoulder in agony, his path to securing a roster spot seemingly derailed.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 24 Dec. 2024
Another bystander who came to Penny's aid offered to hold Neely's arms down so Penny could let go of Neely's neck, but instead Penny kept tight hold even after Neely's body went limp, Yoran told jurors.
—Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
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 3 Jan. 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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