English Reference
adjective · verb · noun

limiting

adj. · v. · n.
US /ˈɫɪmətɪŋ/ UK /lˈɪmɪtɪŋ/ lim·it·ing

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.stopping someone or something from growing, developing, or being free.

    adj.serving to restrict or constrain within certain boundaries; often used to describe conditions that prevent full potential.

    Simple

    Living in a small town can feel limiting if you want a career in fashion.

    In context

    The lack of diverse funding sources proved limiting for the research team, forcing them to scale back their more ambitious experiments.

    restrictiveconstrainingconfining
  2. 02 B1 Intermediate

    v.the act of keeping something below a certain amount or inside a boundary.

    v.the present participle of 'limit', describing the active imposition of a ceiling, boundary, or restriction.

    Simple

    The government is limiting the amount of water people can use this summer.

    In context

    By limiting the number of participants in each seminar, the university ensures that every student receives individual attention from the professor.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Formal

    n.a rule or condition that acts as a boundary.

    n.the gerund form used as a noun to denote the process or fact of restriction.

    Simple

    The limiting of free speech is a serious concern for many citizens.

    In context

    The strict limiting of capital outflows was a desperate measure intended to stabilise the national currency during the fiscal crisis.

Usage limiting access · limiting contact · limiting their capacity

Last year, the scheme grew more than 11%, well above the government’s previous target of limiting growth by less than 6%.

The Guardian· 17 Aug 2026

Keeping the home clean and limiting contact with dogs can help, but it rarely solves the problem.

Phys.org· 16 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated