limp

¹

[limp]

verb (used without object)

1. to walk with a labored, jerky movement, as when lame.

2. to proceed in a lame, faltering, or labored manner.

   His writing limps from one cliché to another. The old car limped along.

3. to progress slowly and with great difficulty; make little or no advance.

   an economy that limps along at a level just above total bankruptcy.

noun

1. a lame movement or gait.

   The accident left him with a slight limp.

limp

²

[limp]

adjective

limper, limpest 

1. lacking stiffness or firmness, as of substance, fiber, structure, or bodily frame.

   a limp body.

   Synonyms: soft, flaccid, flabby

2. lacking vitality; weary; tired; fatigued.

   Limp with exhaustion, she dropped into the nearest chair.

   Synonyms: weak, feeble

3. without firmness, force, energy, etc., as of character.

   limp, spiritless prose.

   Synonyms: weak, feeble

4. flexible; not stiff or rigid.

   a Bible in a limp leather binding.

limp

¹

/ lɪmp /

verb

1. to walk with an uneven step, esp with a weak or injured leg

2. to advance in a labouring or faltering manner

noun

1. an uneven walk or progress

limp

²

/ lɪmp /

adjective

1. not firm or stiff

2. not energetic or vital

3. (of the binding of a book) not stiffened with boards

Other Word Forms

• limper noun
• limpingly adverb
• limply adverb
• limpness noun
• limping adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of limp¹

1560–70; back formation from obsolete limphault lame; Old English lemphealt limping ( halt ² ); akin to Middle High German limpfen to limp

Origin of limp²

1700–10; perhaps < Scandinavian; compare Icelandic limpa slackness, limpilegur soft, flabby

Word History and Origins

Origin of limp¹

C16: probably a back formation from obsolete limphalt lame, from Old English lemphealt; related to Middle High German limpfen to limp

Origin of limp²

C18: probably of Scandinavian origin; related to Icelandic limpa looseness

Example Sentences

In the first half, which limped to a 3-3 score, the two star passers found the end zone exactly zero times.

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“Russian Machine never breaks,” Ovechkin once said, after limping off the ice courtesy of a slap shot to the foot.

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Even against a limping opponent, it was refreshing for Chiefs fans to see the team’s offense clear the 30-point barrier for the first time all season.

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When Clark limped off the court over two months ago, though, the Fever’s chances seemed to be between slim and none.

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Social media is full of videos of grown-ups limping through duck-duck-goose and chucking giant water balloons at each other’s faces, providing both inspiration and a warning.

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Related Words

• falter 
• hobble 
• hop 
• shuffle 
• stagger 
• stumble 
• waddle