limited

[lim-i-tid]

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.

noun

1. a limited train, bus, etc.

limited

/ 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

noun

1. a limited train, bus, etc

Other Word Forms

• limitedly adverb
• limitedness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of limited¹

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

Example Sentences

It will instead publish limited October price numbers together with November data with a delayed release on Dec. 18, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said Friday.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It had appeared his involvement in this autumn's campaign would be limited to training with the senior side and a start in England A's defeat by an All Blacks XV a fortnight ago.

Read more on BBC

Kentucky governors were limited to a single term when she left office in 1987, and Collins’s political future looked bright.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But parents with limited English may have difficulty conveying this sentiment to their child.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Many were concerned about limited mental health education and awareness.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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