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
Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
Few people who have watched Dallas play these first seven games would be surprised if the Cowboys limped into December with a 4-8 record.
—Jesse Reed, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Stacy St. Clair, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2024
Despite his noticeable limp, Herbert still walked to midfield to greet Fields after the game.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2024
Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 1 Nov. 2024
Penny ultimately released Neely nearly a minute after his body went limp, prosecutors said.
—Jennifer Peltz, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for limp 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
Waters got another bucket and then made a terrific chase-down block after a Green turnover, but fell hard and limped off the court with trainers.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
Few people who have watched Dallas play these first seven games would be surprised if the Cowboys limped into December with a 4-8 record.
—Jesse Reed, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Noun
With each event following his knee injury, his limp became more pronounced and the amount of kinesiology tape grew.
—Stacy St. Clair, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2024
Despite his noticeable limp, Herbert still walked to midfield to greet Fields after the game.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2024
Adjective
The prosecutor said Penny hung onto Neely for 51 seconds after Neely's body went limp.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 1 Nov. 2024
Penny ultimately released Neely nearly a minute after his body went limp, prosecutors said.
—Jennifer Peltz, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 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 26 Nov. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share