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

, limp·er, limp·est.

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 /

adjective

1. not firm or stiff
2. not energetic or vital
3. (of the binding of a book) not stiffened with boards

limp

²

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˈlimpness, noun
• ˈlimply, adverb
• ˈlimpingly, adverb
• ˈlimping, adjectivenoun
• ˈlimper, noun

Other Words From

• limper noun
• limping·ly adverb

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

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

Origin of limp²

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

Example Sentences

The rest of the film is a limp to the finish line, not that it was all that spry to begin with.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Sharif said he told Sara to “get up” and took her arm, but it was limp.

From BBC

Naeem Mian KC, for Mr Sharif, previously told the court that Mr Sharif arrived home to find Sara “limp” on 8 August 2023, before attempting CPR and begging for an ambulance to be called.

From BBC

Their reunion, in a noisy contact centre, went well – but the following day Cassie was very tired, pale and limp.

From BBC

He told the jurors that Mr Sharif arrived home to find Sara “limp” on 8 August 2023, before attempting CPR and begging for an ambulance to be called.

From BBC

Related Words

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