limit

A rule or boundary that controls how much you can do, have, or use.

• The speed limit is fifty.
• We set a limit on spending.
• Have you exceeded your credit limit?

How to use it: a limit on something (There is a limit on the number of visitors.); a limit to something (There are legal limits to the president's power.)

Similar words: restriction, cap, ceiling

Common phrases: speed limit, time limit, set a limit

The furthest point something can reach or the greatest amount that is possible.

• Everyone has a limit.
• The machine was working at its limit.
• That journey tested the limits of my patience.

How to use it: the limit of something (The runners had reached the limit of their endurance.)

Similar words: maximum, boundary

Common phrases: reach the limit, upper limit, limit of endurance, city limit

To keep something within a particular amount, area, or range.

• We must limit our spending.
• The rule limits each group to ten people.
• They limited the discussion to safety issues.

How to use it: limit something to something (Please limit your answer to one sentence.)

Similar words: restrict, cap

Opposites: expand

Common phrases: limit something to something, limit the amount, limit spending, limit the power

To reduce someone's freedom or ability to do things.

• Strict rules limit our freedom.
• Her injury limited her ability to walk.
• Don't let fear limit your choices.

Similar words: restrict, constrain

Opposites: free, liberate

Common phrases: limit someone's freedom, limit someone's choices, limit someone's opportunities

For a mathematical sequence or function to get closer and closer to a particular value.

• These values limit on zero.
• The sequence limits on the point marked A.
• Both sequences limit on the same value.

How to use it: limit on a point/value (This sequence limits on zero.)

Similar words: converge

Opposites: diverge

Common phrases: limit on zero, limit on something