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

Some gas stations have at times limited how much customers can buy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

Property records show that the unit is still registered to the limited liability company that Jackman and Furness used when they purchased the home in 2008.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

Southeastern Conference defensive player of the year Raven Johnson limited national player of the year Sarah Strong to 12 points on four-for-16 shooting.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

Understanding how individual rivers respond to warming is challenging because direct measurements in northern Alaska are limited.

From Science Daily • Apr. 4, 2026

“You’re wasting your limited time and energy hating Danny Devon. It is not impacting Danny Devon in the slightest. You’re only harming your soul and your happiness.”

From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty

Related Words

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