limitnoun
uk/ˈlɪm.ɪt/us/ˈlɪm.ɪt/B1 [ C ] the greatest amount, number, or level of something that is either possible or allowed:
Is there a limit on the amount of money you can claim?
I think we ought to put a strict limit on the amount of time we can spend on the project.
There's a limit to the number of times I can stop what I'm doing just so I can help him!
We set a time limit of 30 minutes for the test.
[ U ] informal the amount of something that is enough and not too much:
Three cocktails are my limit.
I won't have any more - I know my limit!
the limit old-fashioned informal
something that is very annoying or not convenient:
And now you're cutting your toenails in bed! That really is the limit!
the largest amount of alcohol that is legally allowed to be present in the blood while a person is driving a vehicle:
She was definitely driving over the limit.
limits [ plural ]
limit:
I'd like to play squash, but I'm 60 and I know my limits.
His genius knows no limits.
The pay rise was in excess of spending limits imposed/set by the government.
More examples
- Many people became ineligible to receive state aid because their earnings were above the new limit.
- The government has set new limits on public spending.
- The bad language in that play overstepped the limits of what ought to be allowed on television.
- At this restaurant you can help yourself to as much food as you want - there's no limit.
- "How much are you willing to spend?" "Well, the outside limit would be £350."
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Maximum and minimum
- (at) full stretch idiom
- at least idiom
- bare
- ceiling
- critical mass
- full
- majority
- mass
- max
- max out
- maximal
- maximum
- minimum
- minority
- most
- most
- outside
- peak
- the full monty
- utmost
See more results »
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Range and limits
Annoying
Drinking alcohol
Idiom(s)
within limits
limitverb [ T ]
uk/ˈlɪm.ɪt/us/ˈlɪm.ɪt/B2 to control something so that it is not greater than a particular amount, number, or level:
I've been asked to limit my speech to ten minutes maximum.
Having so little money to spend on an apartment does limit you in your choice.
More examples
- Oil prices are certain to rise following the agreement to limit production.
- The government is being widely criticized in the press for failing to limit air pollution.
- You should always limit your exposure to the sun.
- The government has promised to introduce legislation to limit fuel emissions from cars.
- Division within the party will limit its chances at the election.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Limiting and restricting
- box sb in
- chain
- circumscribe
- clamp down on sth
- clampdown
- curb
- curtail
- damage limitation
- debilitate
- delimit
- hamstring
- hedge
- infringe
- muzzle
- non-proliferation
- qualification
- ration
- rationing
- restrain
- stabilizer
See more results »