limited

American  

[lim-i-tid] / ˈlɪm ɪ tɪd /

adjective

1. confined within limits; restricted or circumscribed.

   a limited space; limited resources.

2. Government. restricted with reference to governing powers by limitations prescribed in laws and in a constitution, as in

3. characterized by an inability to think imaginatively or independently; lacking originality or scope; narrow.

   a rather limited intelligence.

4. Chiefly British.

   1. responsible for the debts of a company only to a specified amount proportionate to the percentage of stock held.

   2. (of a business firm) owned by stockholders, each having a restricted liability for the company's debts.

   3. (usually initial capital letter) incorporated; Inc. Ltd.

5. (of railroad trains, buses, etc.) making only a limited number of stops en route.

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noun

1. a limited train, bus, etc.

limited British  

/ ˈlɪmɪtɪd /

adjective

1. having a limit; restricted; confined

2. without fullness or scope; narrow

3. (of governing powers, sovereignty, etc) restricted or checked, by or as if by a constitution, laws, or an assembly

   limited government

4. (of a train) stopping only at certain stations and having only a set number of cars for passengers

5. (of a business enterprise) owned by shareholders whose liability for the enterprise's debts is restricted

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noun

1. a limited train, bus, etc

Other Word Forms

• limitedly adverb
• limitedness noun

Etymology

Origin of limited

First recorded in 1545–55; limit + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Gold edged lower in early Asian trade on possible position adjustments, but losses are likely to be limited by U.S.-Iran tensions.

From The Wall Street Journal

In the preliminary round, overtimes were limited to five minutes, followed by a five-round shootout.

From Los Angeles Times

Those quarterly redemptions have generally been limited to 5% of the fund’s net asset value.

From Barron's

Tehran may assume that Washington's objectives would be limited to degrading nuclear and missile capabilities.

From BBC

The limited air and food would likely stunt their growth compared to earthlings, and their lungs and circulatory systems might struggle to deliver oxygen.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• diminished
• insufficient
• minimal
• narrow
• poor
• reduced
• restricted
• small