limp

¹ American  

[limp] / lɪmp /

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.

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noun

1. a lame movement or gait.

   The accident left him with a slight limp.

limp ² American  

[limp] / lɪmp /

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.

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limp ¹ British  

/ 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

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noun

1. an uneven walk or progress

limp ² British  

/ lɪmp /

adjective

1. not firm or stiff

2. not energetic or vital

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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

If a rope goes limp, my father had told me, it's a sign that the hunter is in danger.

From Literature

The potato stalks leaned against each other, limp and wet, the leaves shapeless and dripping.

From Literature

Referees assessed Detroit just 47 technical fouls that year, putting them in the bottom third of the league as they limped to a 14-68 record.

From The Wall Street Journal

Baker-Mazara returned a couple of minutes later with a noticeable limp.

From Los Angeles Times

“Officer Salzburg,” I said, extending a hand that he shook like a limp fish.

From Literature

Related Words

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