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

Explanation

If your gift certificate is only good for a limited amount of time, you have a specific number of days in which you can use it. Limited means short, small, or restricted by specific rules. When a rock concert has a limited number of seats, you may not be able to count on sitting down for the show. Likewise, it's tricky to open a business in a city with a limited amount of retail space. The adjective limited, which comes from the verb limit, was originally used to describe certain train routes — a limited was a term for an express train the late 1800's.

Example Sentences

The female sample was small, so the finding needs further study, but it suggested that the same brain pattern may not be limited to men.

From Science Daily • May 10, 2026

Steve asks why my engagement is limited to decks—after all, the app includes a Community function.

From Slate • May 10, 2026

A third meeting with Usyk feels unlikely in the immediate future; the Ukrainian appears to have his number stylistically and there is limited appetite for a trilogy already settled twice.

From BBC • May 10, 2026

Sheinbaum is limited to a single six-year term as president, opening the door to...

From Barron's • May 10, 2026

It made her even more thirsty, but she didn’t want to drink any more of their limited supply.

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh

Related Words

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