limber

C2+ Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˈlɪmbɚ/ UK /ˈlɪmbə/ See IPA manual

Meanings

1

adj
supple and flexible; to make oneself supple

Dancers stretch to keep their bodies limber.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · supple and flexible; to... supple lithe flexible pliant nimble agile loose lissome

Opposites

stiff rigid inflexiblestocky

Word family

Derived forms limbernesslimberinglimbered

Related forms limb

Etymology

Of uncertain origin, first recorded in the early 16th century; perhaps from limb ('flexible branch') or from limber meaning the shaft of a cart, suggesting flexibility. The exact derivation is disputed.

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# limber

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** adj
**IPA (US):** /ˈlɪmbɚ/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈlɪmbə/

## Meanings
1. supple and flexible; to make oneself supple

## Examples
- Dancers stretch to keep their bodies limber.

## Synonyms
- supple
- lithe
- flexible
- pliant
- nimble
- agile
- loose
- lissome

## Antonyms
- stiff
- rigid
- inflexible
- stocky

## Derived Forms
- limberness
- limbering
- limbered

## Related Forms
- limb

## Etymology
Of uncertain origin, first recorded in the early 16th century; perhaps from limb ('flexible branch') or from limber meaning the shaft of a cart, suggesting flexibility. The exact derivation is disputed.

## AI Etymology
Limber is of uncertain origin, first recorded in the early 16th century; perhaps from limb ('flexible branch') or from limber meaning the shaft of a cart, suggesting flexibility. The exact derivation is disputed. As an adjective, limber means supple and flexible; to make oneself supple. The same family is visible in derived forms such as limberness, limbering, and limbered and related forms such as limb. The uncertainty belongs to the older derivation, so the explanation should preserve alternatives rather than choosing one unsupported origin.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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