limited

LIM-i-tid/ˈlɪmɪtɪd/

6 meanings of limited

Practice

1
adjective
Small in number or amount, so there is not much of it.
Like a small bag of candy at a big party: there is not enough for everyone.
The store had a limited supply of the new phone, so we went early.
We had limited time before the bus left, so we ate fast.
UsageA softer way to say "not much": limited time, very limited space.
Similarscarce, scant, meager, sparse
Oppositeunlimited, plentiful, abundant, ample
2
with conditionsadjective
With limits on what it covers, how it can be used, or how long it lasts.
The phone comes with a limited warranty that covers only the screen.
The sale price is limited to this weekend only.
UsageOften limited to something: limited to this weekend, limited to two per person.
Similarrestricted, qualified
Oppositeunlimited, unrestricted, absolute
Note
3
verb
Past tense and past participle of limit. Use it for the past, or after has, had, or a form of be.
Mom limited us to one hour of TV a day.
The teacher limited the quiz to twenty questions.
UsageWrite it with one t (not ~~incorrect: limitted~~). Say limited someone to something.
Note
4
company nameadjectiveUKbritish
Added after a company's name to show its owners must pay its debts only up to the money they put in.
My uncle runs a small building firm called Hartley Brothers Limited.
The letter came from Greenway Foods Limited, the company that supplies the school canteen.
UsageIt comes at the end of the name and is often written Ltd. US companies usually use Inc. or LLC.
Oppositeunlimited

Less common meanings

5
not talentedadjective
Used about a person who is not very smart or skilled and can do only a few things well.
He was a limited player, but he worked harder than anyone else on the team.
She knew she was a limited singer, so she always chose easy songs.
UsageUsed about how good someone is at something, like a limited player. It is a criticism, even if it sounds mild.
Similarmediocre, unexceptional
Oppositeversatile, talented, gifted
6
express trainnouncountable
A fast train that stops at only a few of the stations on its way.
Like an express elevator that goes straight to the top floors without stopping at every one.
We took the limited because it skips the small stations and saves an hour.
The limited does not stop in our town, so we drive to the next station.
Similarexpress
Oppositelocal
Note

limited is a form of limit

limit, verb: To stop something from going past a fixed point or amount. Full entry

Forms: limitlimits he/she/itlimiting -ing formlimited past tense, past participle
Spelling: limit → limited: add -ed
Sound: The ending sounds like /ɪd/, an extra syllable.

Practice

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