limited

1 of 2

adjective

lim·​it·​ed ˈli-mə-təd 

1

a

: confined within limits : restricted

limited success

b

of a train : offering faster service especially by making a limited number of stops

2

: characterized by enforceable limitations prescribed (as by a constitution) upon the scope or exercise of powers

a limited monarchy

3

: lacking breadth and originality

… a bit limited; a bit thick in the head …

—Virginia Woolf

limitedly adverb

limitedness noun

limited

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of limit entry 2

Synonyms of limited

Adjective

• restricted
• finite
• defined
• definite

Examples of limited in a Sentence

Adjective

Only a limited number of students will be allowed in the class.

People with limited incomes are hit particularly hard by inflation.

The company has had limited success.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Santos and others had drilled with limited results but couldn’t replicate the American formula. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026

On Below, Heaton stars alongside Josh Hartnett and Mackenzie Davis in the sci-fi limited series. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026

The first time, in 2025, a judge agreed to temporarily halt a more limited version from taking effect, and the Health and Human Services Department voluntarily withdrew the plan after losing on appeal. — Tara Bannow, STAT, 9 Oct. 2026

But the trend has to a limited degree also dipped into the retail investor market. — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing limited

• limited-access
• limited edition
• limited government
• limited liability
• limited liability partnership
• limited partner
• limited partnership
• limited war
• self-limited
• sex-limited

Rhymes for limited

• delimited
• unlimited

Kids Definition

limited

adjective

lim·​it·​ed

1

: held within limits

2

: having constitutional limitations placed on the exercise of power

a limited monarchy

limitedly adverb

limitedness noun