limit
LIHM-iht
Limit (noun) means the furthest point or greatest amount allowed or possible; a boundary. Example: “There's a speed limit of 30 on this road.”
noun
1
The furthest point or greatest amount allowed or possible; a boundary.
"There's a speed limit of 30 on this road."
"Everyone has their limit when it comes to stress."
"There is a limit to how much homework one child can do."
verb
1
To keep something within a certain boundary or amount; to restrict.
"The doctor advised her to limit her salt intake."
"The council wants to limit parking on the high street."
"Please limit your answers to a few sentences each."
How to use limit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA boundary or maximum, or the act of restricting something to one.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
push the limit
set a limit
within limits
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- limits
- Past tense
- limited
Fill the gap
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There's a speed _____ of 30 on this road.
Etymology
From Old French limite, from Latin līmes ("boundary, border").
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “limit” mean?
The word “limit” means the furthest point or greatest amount allowed or possible; a boundary. In plain terms, a boundary or maximum, or the act of restricting something to one.
How do you pronounce “limit”?
“Limit” is pronounced LIHM-iht (/ˈlɪm.ɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “limit” in a sentence?
Here is “limit” used in a sentence: “There's a speed limit of 30 on this road.”
What part of speech is “limit”?
Depending on how it is used, “limit” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “limit” come from?
The word “limit” comes from Latin. From Old French limite, from Latin līmes ("boundary, border").
Is “limit” a common word?
“Limit” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “limit” have?
“Limit” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the furthest point or greatest amount allowed or possible; a boundary.
What is the difference between a limit and a boundary?
A boundary is a line that marks where one area ends and another begins, often physical, like a fence or border. A limit is the furthest point or greatest amount allowed or possible, such as a speed limit or time limit. Boundaries divide spaces; limits cap amounts or set the extreme edge.
What is the difference between 'limit' and 'limes'?
In everyday use they are unrelated. 'Limes' is simply the plural of 'lime,' the green citrus fruit. Curiously, the word 'limit' does come from the Latin limes, meaning a boundary or frontier — but the fruit's name is a separate origin, and the resemblance is just a coincidence of spelling.
What are the types of limits?
Everyday examples include a speed limit, time limit, age limit, credit limit, and word limit — each setting a maximum that must not be exceeded. In mathematics, a limit is the value a function or sequence approaches. In every case, a limit marks a cap, a minimum, or a boundary.
What is the opposite of a limit?
Depending on context, the opposite is limitlessness, boundlessness, or freedom — a state with no cap or edge. In mathematics it relates to infinity. Everyday phrases like 'no limits,' 'unlimited,' and 'boundless' all express the absence of any restriction or furthest point.
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