limp Meaning & Definition
What Does Limp Mean?
As a verb, limp means To walk lamely, as if favoring one leg. It can also mean To travel with a malfunctioning system of propulsion. As a noun, it means An irregular, jerky or awkward gait. As an adjective, it means Flaccid; flabby, resembling flesh.
Quick Facts About Limp
| Part of speech | verb, noun, adjective, phrase |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /lɪmp/ |
| Synonyms | slack, flaccid and weak |
| Plural | limps |
| Comparative / superlative | limper, limpest |
| Verb forms | limps, limping, limped, lump |
Limp Definition (Verb)
- To walk lamely, as if favoring one leg.
- To travel with a malfunctioning system of propulsion.
The bomber limped home on one engine.
- To move or proceed irregularly.
limping verses
- To call, particularly in an unraised pot pre-flop.
Limp as a Noun
- An irregular, jerky or awkward gait.
She walks with a limp.
- A scraper for removing poor ore or refuse from the sieve.
Limp as an Adjective
- Flaccid; flabby, resembling flesh.
- Lacking stiffness; floppy, flimsy.
a limp rope
- Soft; weak, especially physically.
- Not erect.
- Not having an erection.
Verb
- To be inadequate or unsatisfactory.
Noun
- A scraper of board or sheet-iron shaped like half the head of a small cask, used for scraping the ore off the sieve in the operation of hand-jigging.
Verb
- To happen; befall; chance.
- To come upon; meet.
Limp as a Phrase
- Acronym of Louis XIV, James II, Queen Mary of Modena and the Prince of Wales
Verb
- To walk lamely, as if favouring one leg.
- (of a vehicle) To travel with a malfunctioning system of propulsion.
The bomber limped home on one engine.
Adjective
- Flaccid; flabby, like flesh.
- Lacking stiffness; flimsy
a limp rope
- (of a penis) not erect
- (of a man) not having an erect penis
- Physically weak
Synonyms of Limp
Limp synonyms and antonyms →Limp in a Sentence
The bomber limped home on one engine.
limping verses
The business limped through the recession
She walks with a limp.
a limp rope
Word Forms & Grammar
limp (third-person singular simple present limps, present participle limping, simple past and past participle limped)
limp (plural limps)
limp (comparative limper, superlative limpest)
limp (third-person singular simple present limps, present participle limping, simple past lamp or limped, past participle lump or limped)
limp
Words That Rhyme With Limp
Origin of Limp
Origin 1: From Middle English limpen (“to fall short”), from Old English limpan, from Proto-West Germanic *limpan, from Proto-Germanic *limpaną (“to hang down”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)lemb-, *(s)lembʰ- (“to hang loosely, hang limply”).
Origin 2: Cognate with Low German lumpen (“to limp”), Middle High German limpfen (“to hobble, limp”), dialectal German lampen (“to hang down loosely”), Icelandic limpa (“limpness, weakness”).
Origin 3: From Middle English *limp, *lemp, from Old English *lemp (recorded only in compound lemphealt (“limping”), from Proto-West Germanic *limpan, from Proto-Germanic *limpaną (“to hang down”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)lemb-, *(s)lembʰ- (“to hang loosely, hang limply”). Cognate with German lampecht (“flaccid, limp”), Icelandic lempinn, lempiligur (“pliable, gentle”). See above.
Origin 4: From Middle English limpen, from Old English limpan (“to happen, occur, exist, belong to, suit, befit, concern”).
Common Questions About Limp
Is limp a verb or a noun?
Limp is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun, an adjective and a phrase.
What is another word for limp?
You can replace limp with words such as slack, flaccid and weak. See the full list of limp synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of limp?
The plural of limp is limps.
What is the past tense of limp?
The past tense of limp is limped and the past participle is lump. The present participle is limping.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of limp?
The comparative form is limper and the superlative form is limpest.