Limit Definition and Meaning
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Published on April 8, 2024
Limit refers to the maximum or minimum boundary or point beyond which something does not or cannot extend or pass. e.g., The speed limit on this highway is 55 mph.
Table of Contents
Limit Definitions
The point or level beyond which something does not or may not extend or pass.
There's a limit to how much I can help you with your project.
A restriction on the size or amount of something permissible or possible.
The bank imposes a limit on daily withdrawals.
To set or serve as a limit to.
The fence limits the property to just four acres.
A predetermined point of termination.
The discussion had a time limit of 30 minutes.
To confine or restrict to a certain limit.
We need to limit our spending this month.
A limit or boundary set by rules.
The game has strict age limits.
The boundary surrounding a specific area; edge.
They walked to the city limits.
The final, utmost, or furthest boundary or point as to extent, amount, continuance, procedure, etc.
He tested the limits of his endurance.
The greatest amount of something that is possible or allowed.
There is a limit on the number of tickets you can buy.
In mathematics, a value that a function or sequence "approaches" as the input or index approaches some value.
The limit of x as x approaches infinity.
The point, edge, or line beyond which something ends, may not go, or is not allowed
The 12-mile fishing limit.
The limit of my patience.
Limits The boundary surrounding a specific area; bounds
Within the city limits.
Something that restricts or restrains; a restraint
The child needs to have limits put on his behavior.
The greatest or least amount, number, or extent allowed or possible
A withdrawal limit of $200.
No minimum age limit.
(Games) The largest amount which may be bet at one time in games of chance.
A number or point L that is approached by a function f(x) as x approaches a if, for every positive number ε, there exists a number δ such that |f(x)-L| < ε if |x-a| < δ.
A number or point L that is approached by a sequence bn if, for every positive number ε, there exists a number N such that |bn-L| < ε if n > N. Also called limit point.
(Informal) One that is intolerable, remarkable, or extreme in some other way
"That's the limit!" the babysitter exclaimed after the child spilled a glass of milk.
To confine or restrict with a limit
Let's limit the discussion to what is doable. The offer limits us to three for a dollar.
A restriction; a bound beyond which one may not go.
There are several existing limits to executive power.
Two drinks is my limit tonight.
(mathematics) A value to which a sequence converges. Equivalently, the common value of the upper limit and the lower limit of a sequence: if the upper and lower limits are different, then the sequence has no limit (i.e., does not converge).
The sequence of reciprocals has zero as its limit.
(mathematics) Any of several abstractions of this concept of limit.
Category theory defines a very general concept of limit.
(category theory) The cone of a diagram through which any other cone of that same diagram can factor uniquely.
(poker) Fixed limit.
The final, utmost, or furthest point; the border or edge.
The limit of a walk, of a town, or of a country
(obsolete) The space or thing defined by limits.
(obsolete) That which terminates a period of time; hence, the period itself; the full time or extent.
(obsolete) A restriction; a check or curb; a hindrance.
A determining feature; a distinguishing characteristic.
(cycling) The first group of riders to depart in a handicap race.
A person who is exasperating, intolerable, astounding, etc.
(poker) Being a fixed limit game.
(transitive) To restrict; not to allow to go beyond a certain bound, to set boundaries.
We need to limit the power of the executive.
I'm limiting myself to two drinks tonight.
To have a limit in a particular set.
The sequence limits on the point a.
(obsolete) To beg, or to exercise functions, within a certain limited region.
A limiting friar
That which terminates, circumscribes, restrains, or confines; the bound, border, or edge; the utmost extent; as, the limit of a walk, of a town, of a country; the limits of human knowledge or endeavor.
As eager of the chase, the maidBeyond the forest's verdant limits strayed.
The space or thing defined by limits.
The archdeacon hath divided itInto three limits very equally.
That which terminates a period of time; hence, the period itself; the full time or extent.
The dateless limit of thy dear exile.
The limit of your lives is out.
A restriction; a check; a curb; a hindrance.
I prithee, give no limits to my tongue.
A determining feature; a distinguishing characteristic; a differentia.
A determinate quantity, to which a variable one continually approaches, and may differ from it by less than any given difference, but to which, under the law of variation, the variable can never become exactly equivalent.
To apply a limit to, or set a limit for; to terminate, circumscribe, or restrict, by a limit or limits; as, to limit the acreage of a crop; to limit the issue of paper money; to limit one's ambitions or aspirations; to limit the meaning of a word.
To beg, or to exercise functions, within a certain limited region; as, a limiting friar.
The greatest possible degree of something;
What he did was beyond the bounds of acceptable behavior
To the limit of his ability
Final or latest limiting point
The boundary of a specific area
As far as something can go
The mathematical value toward which a function goes as the independent variable approaches infinity
The greatest amount of something that is possible or allowed;
There are limits on the amount you can bet
It is growing rapidly with no limitation in sight
Place limits on (extent or access);
Restrict the use of this parking lot
Limit the time you can spend with your friends
Restrict or confine,
I limit you to two visits to the pub a day
Decide upon or fix definitely;
Fix the variables
Specify the parameters
Limit Snonyms
Maximum
The highest amount or degree permitted or possible.
The maximum capacity of the hall is 200 people.
Boundary
A line that marks the limits of an area; a dividing line.
The river forms the natural boundary between the two countries.
Ceiling
The upper limit of something, usually a price, wage, or amount.
The government set a ceiling on gasoline prices.
Cap
An upper limit imposed on something.
The team put a cap on the number of participants.
Threshold
The level at which one starts to experience or undergo something.
The threshold for pain varies from person to person.
Edge
The outside limit of an object, area, or surface.
He stood at the edge of the cliff.
Border
The edge or boundary of something, or the part near it.
They lived near the border of the forest.
Limitation
A limiting rule or circumstance; a restriction.
The contract has several limitations on usage.
Restriction
A rule or law that limits what you can do or what can happen.
New parking restrictions have been introduced.
Barrier
A circumstance or obstacle that keeps people or things apart or prevents communication or progress.
Language is often a barrier to understanding in international relations.
Limit Idioms & Phrases
Off-limits
Prohibited or forbidden to be accessed or used.
The military base is off-limits to civilians.
Sky's the limit
There is no upper limit to what someone can achieve or how much someone can spend, do, etc.
For ambitious entrepreneurs, the sky's the limit.
Go over the limit
To exceed a limit or boundary, especially in terms of behavior or action.
He went over the limit with his remarks and offended many.
Stretch the limits
To use or extend something to its utmost limits.
The marathon runner stretched the limits of his physical endurance.
At the limit
Reaching the maximum capacity or ability to tolerate.
After twelve hours of work, she was at her limit.
Within limits
Only to a certain degree; not completely or excessively.
You're free to decorate your office, but within limits.
Limit Example Sentences
You need to set a limit on your credit card to avoid overspending.
The city limit sign marks where the jurisdiction ends.
The park has a noise limit to ensure residents aren't disturbed.
There's a strict limit on the number of items you can purchase on sale.
We reached our limit of patience with the delays.
The elevator has a weight limit for safety reasons.
He hit his limit after studying for 12 hours straight.
The classroom has a capacity limit of 30 students.
Setting a spending limit can help manage your budget more effectively.
Common Curiosities
How many syllables are in limit?
Limit has two syllables.
What is a stressed syllable in limit?
The stressed syllable in "limit" is the first one, lim-.
How is limit used in a sentence?
The company imposes a strict limit on personal phone use during work hours.
What is the verb form of limit?
The verb form is "limit," as in to restrict or confine within boundaries.
How do we divide limit into syllables?
Limit is divided into syllables as lim-it.
What part of speech is limit?
"Limit" can be a noun (the point or level beyond which something does not extend) or a verb (to set or serve as a limit to).
Why is it called limit?
"Limit" originates from the Latin "limes," meaning a boundary or border, reflecting its use to denote the furthest extent of something.
What is the singular form of limit?
The singular form is "limit."
What is the second form of limit?
The second form is "limited," the simple past tense.
What is the third form of limit?
The third form is also "limited," used as the past participle.
What is the pronunciation of limit?
Limit is pronounced as /ˈlɪmɪt/.
What is the first form of limit?
The first form is "limit," used as the present tense.
What is the opposite of limit?
The opposite of "limit" could be "extend," "expand," or "unlimit."
Is limit an adverb?
No, "limit" is not an adverb.
Is limit a negative or positive word?
"Limit" is neutral; its connotation depends on the context in which it is used.
Is the word limit Gerund?
No, "limit" is not a gerund; "limiting" would be the gerund form.
Which vowel is used before limit?
The article "a" is used before "limit" when it is singular and nonspecific, and "the" is used when it is specific.
What is the root word of limit?
The root word of "limit" is the Latin "limes," meaning boundary or border.
What is the plural form of limit?
The plural form is "limits."
Which conjunction is used with limit?
Conjunctions such as "and," "but," or "or" can be used in sentences involving "limit," depending on the sentence structure.
Which article is used with limit?
The articles "a" or "the" can be used with "limit" depending on whether it is used in a specific or nonspecific sense.
Is limit a noun or adjective?
"Limit" is primarily a noun and a verb. It is not an adjective.
Is limit an abstract noun?
As a noun, "limit" refers to a concept or principle and can be considered abstract, although it has concrete implications.
Is limit a collective noun?
No, "limit" is not a collective noun.
Which preposition is used with limit?
Prepositions such as "on," "to," "of," or "within" are commonly used with "limit," depending on the context.
What is another term for limit?
Another term for "limit" is "boundary."
Is limit a vowel or consonant?
The word "limit" starts with a consonant.
Is limit a countable noun?
Yes, "limit" is a countable noun when referring to specific instances or types of limits.
Is the limit term a metaphor?
"Limit" can be used metaphorically to describe constraints or restrictions in various contexts.
Is the word limit imperative?
"Limit" can be used in the imperative mood as a command, e.g., "Limit your spending."
Is the word “limit” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Limit" can serve as a direct object in sentences like "The rules limit the amount of time allowed."
Which determiner is used with limit?
Determiners such as "a," "the," or possessives like "my" can be used with "limit" when it functions as a noun.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
