limp
limp Lexical Profile
limp Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Lacking stiffness, firmness, or rigidity; soft, loose, or drooping.
"The unwatered houseplants had grown limp and yellow by the end of the week."
Lacking energy, vigor, or effectiveness; weak or unconvincing.
"The committee offered only a limp response to the urgent environmental report."
• noun
A tendency to walk with difficulty or an uneven gait, typically due to an injury or stiffness in a leg or foot.
"After spraining his ankle during the match, he walked with a noticeable limp for several days."
• verb
To walk with difficulty or an uneven step, typically because of a damaged or stiff leg or foot.
"The marathon runner had to limp across the finish line after pulling a hamstring."
To proceed slowly, laboriously, or with difficulty (especially of a damaged vehicle, ship, or struggling enterprise).
"With one engine disabled, the cargo ship managed to limp back into the harbor before nightfall."
• Rhymes for limp
Word Origin & Etymology
The verb and noun derive from Old English 'lemphealt' (limping, lame), from a Germanic root meaning to hang loosely or droop. The adjective appeared in the 16th century from the same Germanic base, related to Middle High German 'limpfen' (to limp).