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

Researchers found that a drug already used to treat HIV might be able to interfere with this process, offering a new option for patients who currently have very limited treatment choices.

From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 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

The limited inflow of new workers means the economy’s speed limit is lower, she said, and the risk of a miscalculation—holding interest rates either too low or too high—is greater.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

"MP3 players were clunky, storage was limited, and managing your music library felt like a chore," he said.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

Its effectiveness was limited by shifting wind directions, and by the rapid development of protective gas masks.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman

Related Words

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