limp
lihmp
Limp (verb) means to walk unevenly, favoring one leg because of an injury or pain. Example: “He limped off the pitch after twisting his ankle.”
verb
1
To walk unevenly, favoring one leg because of an injury or pain.
"He limped off the pitch after twisting his ankle."
"She limped home, still sore from the fall."
2
To move along slowly and with difficulty, as if something is malfunctioning.
"The damaged plane limped back to base on one engine."
adj
1
Lacking firmness or stiffness; soft and floppy.
"The lettuce had gone limp in the fridge."
"His handshake was disappointingly limp."
How to use limp
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither walking with an uneven, painful step, or being floppy/without stiffness.
Common mistake
As an adjective, "limp" describes something soft or drooping — don't confuse it with "limber" (flexible and easy to move) or "limbo" (uncertain state).
Common pairings
limp handshake
limp along
go limp
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Word forms
- Plural
- limps
- Third person singular
- limps
- Past tense
- limped, lamp, lump
- Comparative
- limper
- Superlative
- limpest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He _____ off the pitch after twisting his ankle.
Etymology
From Old English limpan ("to hang down"), related to a Germanic root meaning "to hang loosely" — the same idea behind something going soft or floppy.
Related words
Rhymes for limp
See all rhymes for limp →Frequently asked questions
What does “limp” mean?
The word “limp” means to walk unevenly, favoring one leg because of an injury or pain. In plain terms, either walking with an uneven, painful step, or being floppy/without stiffness.
How do you pronounce “limp”?
“Limp” is pronounced lihmp (/lɪmp/ in IPA).
How do you use “limp” in a sentence?
Here is “limp” used in a sentence: “He limped off the pitch after twisting his ankle.”
What part of speech is “limp”?
Depending on how it is used, “limp” can be a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “limp” come from?
The word “limp” comes from Old English. From Old English limpan ("to hang down"), related to a Germanic root meaning "to hang loosely" — the same idea behind something going soft or floppy.
Is “limp” a common word?
“Limp” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “limp” have?
“Limp” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to walk unevenly, favoring one leg because of an injury or pain.
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