Limp is a word with several different meanings. It can describe an unsteadynot steady or balanced; likely to sway or wobble way of walking, something that has lost firmnessthe quality of being solid, strong, or not easily bent or energy, or a slow, difficult movement after damageharm or injury that makes something worse or weaker or trouble.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /lɪmp/
Easy pronunciation: LIMP (approximate spelling).
Stress: One syllable, so the whole word is stressed.
Adjective meaning lacking or having lost rigidity.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Limp Meaning
soft, loose, and not stiff
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: lacking or having lost rigidity
Example: The flowers looked limp after a hot day.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Limp
Meaning 2
a way of walking unevenly because of pain or injury
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the uneven manner of walking that results from an injured leg
Example: He has a slight limp after the accident.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- hobble — A good synonym when limp means an uneven walk, though it can also be a verb.
- hitch — Can refer to an uneven walk, but it is less direct and less common.
Meaning 3
to walk unevenly because of an injury or physical problem
Part of speech: verb
Definition: walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury
Example: She limped home on a sore ankle.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- hobble — A strong substitute for walking awkwardly because of pain or injury.
- gimp — Used in some contexts for moving with difficulty, but it is more informal and less neutral.
- hitch — Can mean walking unevenly, but it is less precise than hobble.
Meaning 4
weak, dull, or lacking spirit
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: without energy or will
Example: He gave a limp apology and walked away.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- wilted — Works when limp means weak or spiritless, though it is more often used of plants or appearance.
Meaning 5
to move forward slowly after damage or trouble
Part of speech: verb
Definition: proceed slowly or with difficulty
Example: The damaged truck limped to the garage.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Limp Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- hobble
uneven walk caused by injury
- hobble
- hitch
walk with difficulty because of injury or limitation
- hobble
- gimp
- hitch
lacking energy or spirit
- wilted
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse limp the adjective meaning 'soft or not stiff' with limp the verb meaning 'walk unevenly.'
- Do not use hobble for every sense of limp; it fits walking-related senses, not 'soft,' 'weak,' or 'slowly continue.'
- Do not treat the verb sense 'limped into the harbor' as the same as the walking-injury sense; it means moving slowly or with difficulty, often after damage or trouble.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does limp mean?
Limp can mean soft and not stiff, weak or lacking energy, an uneven way of walking caused by injury, or moving slowly and with difficulty after trouble or damage.
What are the synonyms of limp?
That depends on the sense. For walking unevenly, hobble is the closest synonym. For the adjective meaning soft or not stiff, there is no perfect everyday synonym in the supplied data. For weak or spiritless, wilted can work in some contexts.
Is limp a noun, verb, or adjective?
It can be all three. The meaning changes depending on how it is used in a sentence.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
