limp

¹ American  

[limp] / lɪmp /

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.

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noun

1. a lame movement or gait.

   The accident left him with a slight limp.

limp ² American  

[limp] / lɪmp /

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.

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limp ¹ British  

/ 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

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noun

1. an uneven walk or progress

limp ² British  

/ lɪmp /

adjective

1. not firm or stiff

2. not energetic or vital

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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

Sonder had limped for years from one burst of funding to the next, never landing on a business model that could turn a consistent profit.

From The Wall Street Journal

Rodman's return ended in disappointment with the forwards limping off after appearing to fall awkwardly in injury time as Washington chased an equaliser.

From Barron's

In the Ashes of the same year, England declared on day one at Edgbaston, then had the benefit of Nathan Lyon limping off Lord's.

From BBC

The centre-back limped off in visible discomfort during Brazil's friendly against Senegal at Emirates Stadium last weekend and was ruled out of the draw against Tunisia three days later.

From BBC

Brave bowler Chris Jordan limped off with an apparent groin injury, while having 15 of his balls still to bowl, leaving Brave short at the death.

From BBC

Related Words

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