2 syllables: li, mit. Stress on li.
LIM-uht
/ˈlɪmət/
limit is pronounced LIM-uht (/ˈlɪmət/). It has two syllables (li-mit), with the stress on "li". Limit typically refers to a boundary or ceiling beyond which something cannot proceed. It can describe a maximum amount, extent, or scope, and, in mathematics, the value a function approaches but does not necessarily reach. The term also functions as a verb meaning to confine or restrict. In many contexts, it conveys constraint, restriction, or a stopping point.
Limit typically refers to a boundary or ceiling beyond which something cannot proceed. It can describe a maximum amount, extent, or scope, and, in mathematics, the value a function approaches but does not necessarily reach. The term also functions as a verb meaning to confine or restrict. In many contexts, it conveys constraint, restriction, or a stopping point.
- You may inadvertently lengthen the first vowel to /iː/ as in 'leem-it'; keep it as a short /ɪ/ by relaxing the jaw and shortening the vowel duration. - The final /t/ can get swallowed in fast speech; practice with a crisp tip-to-alveolar release to ensure audible termination. - Some learners insert a vowel between /m/ and /t/ (e.g., /ˈlɪmɪət/); avoid an intrusive vowel by keeping the tongue steady and moving directly from /m/ to /t/.
"- The speed limit on this road is 55 miles per hour."
"- Researchers set a limit on the number of participants in the study."
"- You should not limit yourself to one approach; try multiple strategies."
Pronounce it as /ˈlɪmɪt/. The first syllable carries primary stress. The vowel in both syllables is a short lax 'i' like in 'sit'. Tip: keep the tongue high for the first /ɪ/ and then raise the back of the tongue slightly for the /ɪ/ in the second syllable. You’ll hear a crisp, unreleased final plosive /t/.
Common errors include pronouncing it as /ˈliːmɪt/ with a long /iː/ or substituting /lɪmət/ with a schwa in the second syllable. Another frequent misstep is voicing the final /t/ too softly or omitting it in rapid speech. Correct by ensuring a short, crisp /ɪ/ in the second syllable and a clear alveolar /t/ at the end; practice with words ending in /t/ and shadow a native speaker.
In US/UK/AU, limit is essentially the same: /ˈlɪmɪt/. The rhoticity or vowel quality doesn't shift the core vowels dramatically, but you may notice subtle vowel length and quality differences in connected speech. US tends to be slightly more centralized in fast speech; UK may present a marginally crisper /t/; AU follows similar patterns to General American but with mild vowel colour differences. The main reality is consistent stress and final /t/ clarity.
The challenge lies in the two distinct short /ɪ/ vowels and the final /t/. The first /ɪ/ is quick and lax; ensure you don’t lengthen it into /iː/. The second /ɪ/ must be reduced just enough to avoid a heavy vowel. You also want a clean, precise /t/ without an aspirated release in rapid speech. Practicing with minimal pairs where the first vowel is /ɪ/ and contrasting with /iː/ can help you lock the correct mouth position.
Tip: maintain a compact mouth position for both vowels, with the tongue relaxed but elevated for the /ɪ/ vowels. Avoid lip rounding or jaw wide opening. In connected speech, keep the /t/ lightly released to avoid an extra sound; think of a quick, clipped ending. Practicing with phrases like 'time limit' or 'credit limit' helps your muscle memory lock the pattern.
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US: keep vowels compact, articulate /l/ with the front of the tongue behind the upper teeth; UK: slightly crisper /t/ and sharper alveolar stop; AU: similar to US but with subtle vowel colouring and a very mild non-rhotic tendency in some speakers. IPA references: /ˈlɪmɪt/ for all. Emphasize short, quick vowels; avoid over-elongation in any syllable; in rapid speech, the second /ɪ/ may reduce toward /ɪ/ or schwa.
Limit comes from the Old French limit, from Latin limitis meaning boundary, border, or boundary stone. The Latin term is formed from limen, which means threshold, edge, or boundary. In Latin, limitis was used to indicate a boundary of a field or a line; by the Middle Ages, it evolved to describe a limit, boundary, or constraint more generally in several Romance languages. In English, limit appeared in the 14th century with senses tied to boundaries or ends, particularly in law and measurement contexts. Over time, the word acquired mathematical usage: a limit is the value that a function approaches as the input approaches some value, a sense that emerged with the formalization of calculus in the 17th and 18th centuries. The verb form “to limit” follows the noun meaning by applying the idea of setting boundaries or restrictions. The modern generic usage spans everyday language (limits of endurance, time limits) to technical contexts like physics, economics, and computer science. First known use in English is attested in the 14th century in law and property contexts, gradually broadening in scope through the Renaissance and early modern science.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "limit" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "limit" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "limit"
-mit sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
