limited

adjective

lim·​it·​ed ˈli-mə-təd 

1

a

: confined within limits : restricted

limited success

b

of a train : offering faster service especially by making a limited number of stops

2

: characterized by enforceable limitations prescribed (as by a constitution) upon the scope or exercise of powers

a limited monarchy

3

: lacking breadth and originality

a bit limited; a bit thick in the head

—Virginia Woolf

limitedly adverb

limitedness noun

Synonyms

• bounded
• circumscribed
• defined
• definite
• determinate
• finite
• measured
• narrow
• restricted

Examples of limited in a Sentence

Only a limited number of students will be allowed in the class.

People with limited incomes are hit particularly hard by inflation.

The company has had limited success.

Recent Examples on the Web

Thousands of schools have been damaged or destroyed, and many students struggle to keep up due to displacement, unsafe learning environments, limited access to technology and the psychological toll of war. —Maryanne Murray Buechner, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025

At long last, the movie recently received an extremely limited U.S. theatrical run and is now available on digital platforms. —Joe Leydon, Variety, 5 Mar. 2025

Medical wait times were not factored into my limited window. —Hazlitt, 5 Mar. 2025

Google is inviting Google One AI Premium subscribers to try it as a limited, opt-in experience in Labs. —Emily Forlini, PCMAG, 5 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing limited

• limited-access
• limited edition
• limited liability
• limited liability partnership
• limited partner
• limited partnership
• limited war
• self-limited
• sex-limited

Rhymes for limited

• delimited
• unlimited

Kids Definition

limited

adjective

lim·​it·​ed

1

: held within limits

2

: having constitutional limitations placed on the exercise of power

a limited monarchy

limitedly adverb

limitedness noun