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Limited Very Common

Limited has 11 different meanings across 2 categories:

Noun · Adjective

Definitions
Noun
1

public transport consisting of a fast train or bus that makes only a few scheduled stops

"he caught the express to New York"

2

An express train that only halts at a limited number of stops.

"We caught the morning limited, which skipped every small station to reach downtown in record time."

"The company operates with limited staff and resources."

Usage: In modern English, "limited" is almost exclusively an adjective describing restrictions rather than a standalone noun. If you need to refer to the specific type of train mentioned in your example, use the phrase "limited express" instead of calling it simply a "limited."

Verb
1

simple past tense and past participle of limit

"The company limited its stock to early investors before accepting new applications."

In plain English: To limit something means to set a boundary on how much of it you can have or do.

"The manager limited access to the meeting room for staff only."

Usage: Do not use "limit" as the simple past or past participle of the verb; instead, always conjugate it to "limited." The word "limited" functions only as an adjective describing something restricted in amount or scope.

Adjective
1

small in range or scope

"limited war"

"a limited success"

"a limited circle of friends"

2

subject to limits or subjected to limits

"The new park is limited to dogs on leashes and visitors under eighteen years old."

3

including only a part

"The new menu is limited to just three vegetable dishes for tonight's special."

4

mediocre

"The meal was limited, leaving me wanting more flavor after just a few bites."

5

not excessive

"The hotel room was small but had a limited amount of furniture that made it feel cozy rather than cramped."

6

having a specific function or scope

"a special (or specific) role in the mission"

7

not unlimited

"a limited list of choices"

8

With certain (often specified) limits placed upon it.

"The company's new policy allows employees to take limited sick leave, capping it at three days per year without prior approval."

In plain English: Limited means there is not enough of something to go around for everyone who wants it.

"The parking lot has limited spaces available during rush hour."

Usage: Use "limited" to describe something that has specific boundaries or restrictions on its quantity, scope, or availability. Avoid using it when you simply mean small in size unless those dimensions are actually restricted by a defined limit.

Example Sentences
"The parking lot has limited spaces available during rush hour." adj
"The company operates with limited staff and resources." noun
"The manager limited access to the meeting room for staff only." verb
Related Terms
Antonyms
Broader Terms (hypernyms)

Origin

Derived from the Latin limitatus, the past participle of limītāre (to mark out boundaries), it originally meant enclosed or restricted by lines. The term entered English in the late 14th century to describe something defined by specific limits.

Rhyming Words
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