limited

[ lim-i-tid ]

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 limited monarchy limited government
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.

noun

1. a limited train, bus, etc.

limited

/ 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

noun

1. a limited train, bus, etc

Derived Forms

• ˈlimitedness, noun
• ˈlimitedly, adverb

Other Words From

• limit·ed·ly adverb
• limit·ed·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of limited¹

First recorded in 1545–55; limit + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Evolutionarily, these alternative sites may have been beneficial to soybeans and other plants because they allowed for increased complexity and adaptability under a limited genome.

From Science Daily

But additional damage was limited because of the quick response by firefighters.

From Los Angeles Times

As such, it's possible that tariffs end up having a more limited scope than what's been suggested.

From Salon

However, after Russia's illegal occupation of Crimea in 2014, Ukraine informed fellow signatories that its application of the treaty in the occupied areas would be is "limited and is not guaranteed".

From BBC

Water vapor is typically scarce, and using indoor air to drive the hydration reaction can reduce the building's humidity to an uncomfortable level while the cold outside air contains limited moisture.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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