limp

¹

[limp]

verb (used without object)

1. to walk with a labored, jerky movement, as when lame.

2. to proceed in a lame, faltering, or labored manner.

   His writing limps from one cliché to another. The old car limped along.

3. to progress slowly and with great difficulty; make little or no advance.

   an economy that limps along at a level just above total bankruptcy.

noun

1. a lame movement or gait.

   The accident left him with a slight limp.

limp

²

[limp]

adjective

limper, limpest 

1. lacking stiffness or firmness, as of substance, fiber, structure, or bodily frame.

   a limp body.

   Synonyms: soft, flaccid, flabby

2. lacking vitality; weary; tired; fatigued.

   Limp with exhaustion, she dropped into the nearest chair.

   Synonyms: weak, feeble

3. without firmness, force, energy, etc., as of character.

   limp, spiritless prose.

   Synonyms: weak, feeble

4. flexible; not stiff or rigid.

   a Bible in a limp leather binding.

limp

¹

/ lɪmp /

verb

1. to walk with an uneven step, esp with a weak or injured leg

2. to advance in a labouring or faltering manner

noun

1. an uneven walk or progress

limp

²

/ lɪmp /

adjective

1. not firm or stiff

2. not energetic or vital

3. (of the binding of a book) not stiffened with boards

Other Word Forms

• limper noun
• limpingly adverb
• limply adverb
• limpness noun
• limping adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of limp¹

1560–70; back formation from obsolete limphault lame; Old English lemphealt limping ( halt ² ); akin to Middle High German limpfen to limp

Origin of limp²

1700–10; perhaps < Scandinavian; compare Icelandic limpa slackness, limpilegur soft, flabby

Word History and Origins

Origin of limp¹

C16: probably a back formation from obsolete limphalt lame, from Old English lemphealt; related to Middle High German limpfen to limp

Origin of limp²

C18: probably of Scandinavian origin; related to Icelandic limpa looseness

Example Sentences

The Giants took full advantage when Joe Alt limped out of the game.

From Los Angeles Times

Yes, it was tense and Luke Donald's line-up only just limped over the line to win 15-13, but they had done enough on the first two days to make it possible.

From BBC

It will not have a bye for the first round of the playoffs, having limped through much of the second half of the schedule.

From Los Angeles Times

Usually, with a lifeless body hanging limp from a broken neck, the spectacle of gruesome victimhood in a lynching photograph obscures the bigger picture.

From Los Angeles Times

Urias, who was hospitalized for two days and released, told police the shooter walked with a limp.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• falter 
• hobble 
• hop 
• shuffle 
• stagger 
• stumble 
• waddle