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limber

1
[ lim-ber ]
/ ˈlɪm bər /
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See synonyms for: limber / limberness on Thesaurus.com
adjective
characterized by ease in bending the body; supple; lithe.
bending readily; flexible; pliant.
verb (used without object)
to make oneself limber (usually followed by up): to limber up before the game.
verb (used with object)
to make (something) limber (usually followed by up): She tried to limber up her wits before the exam.
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Origin of limber

1
First recorded in 1555–65; of uncertain origin; perhaps akin to limb1

synonym study for limber

2. See flexible.

OTHER WORDS FROM limber

lim·ber·ly, adverblim·ber·ness, noun

Words nearby limber

Limavady, limb, limba, limbate, limbed, limber, limber hole, limberneck, limber pine, limber up, limbic

Other definitions for limber (2 of 3)

limber2
[ lim-ber ]
/ ˈlɪm bər /
Military
noun
a two-wheeled vehicle, originally pulled by four or six horses, behind which is towed a field gun or caisson.
verb (used with object)
to attach the limber to (a gun) in preparation for moving away (sometimes followed by up).
verb (used without object)
to attach a limber to a gun (usually followed by up).

Origin of limber

2
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English limour, lemer “cart shaft”; see limb1, -er1

Other definitions for limber (3 of 3)

limber3
[ lim-ber ]
/ ˈlɪm bər /
noun
Usually limbers. Nautical. a passage or gutter in which seepage collects to be pumped away, located on each side of a central keelson; bilge.

Origin of limber

3
First recorded in 1620–30; of uncertain origin; perhaps from French lumière “hole, perforation,” literally, “light,” from Late Latin lūmināria; see origin at luminaria
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to limber

agile, graceful, lithe, nimble, pliable, resilient, spry, supple, elastic, loose, plastic, deft, lissome, lithesome, pliant, springy

How to use limber in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for limber (1 of 3)

limber1
/ (ˈlɪmbə) /
adjective
capable of being easily bent or flexed; pliant
able to move or bend freely; agile

Derived forms of limber

limberly, adverblimberness, noun

Word Origin for limber

C16: origin uncertain

British Dictionary definitions for limber (2 of 3)

limber2
/ (ˈlɪmbə) /
noun
part of a gun carriage, often containing ammunition, consisting of an axle, pole, and two wheels, that is attached to the rear of an item of equipment, esp field artillery
verb
(usually foll by up) to attach the limber (to a gun, etc)

Word Origin for limber

C15 lymour shaft of a gun carriage, origin uncertain

British Dictionary definitions for limber (3 of 3)

limber3
/ (ˈlɪmbə) /
noun
(often plural) nautical (in the bilge of a vessel) a fore-and-aft channel through a series of holes in the frames (limber holes) where water collects and can be pumped out

Word Origin for limber

C17: probably changed from French lumière hole (literally: light)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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