limitative

IPA/ˈlɪmɪteɪtɪv/

limitative — adjective

  • limitativepositive
  • more limitativecomparative
  • most limitativesuperlative

1. describing a rule, condition, or factor that sets a boundary on something or kee

1.形容詞C1
釋義

describing a rule, condition, or factor that sets a boundary on something or keeps it within a fixed range

例句

The contract included several limitative clauses that restricted the supplier's liability.

attributive: limitative + clause

Critics argued that the limitative rules would discourage small businesses from entering the market.

同義詞
  • restrictive

    far more common across all registers; limitative sounds more technical and legal

  • limiting

    simpler and used in both everyday and formal contexts

  • confining

    suggests physical enclosure rather than abstract rules or boundaries

反義詞
  • permissive

    grants freedom rather than imposing boundaries

  • expansive

    broadens the scope instead of narrowing it

文法句型

limitative + noun

be + limitative + of + noun

用法筆記

Far less common than 'restrictive' or 'limiting' in everyday English; limitative appears almost exclusively in legal contracts, regulatory documents, and academic writing where a precise, formal tone is required.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher was limitative about late homework.
✅The teacher was strict about late homework.
💡'limitative' describes rules, conditions, or factors, not a person's attitude or behaviour.
❌This app has a limitative number of free uses.
✅This app has a limited number of free uses.
💡'limited' is the ordinary adjective for quantities; 'limitative' carries a stronger sense of deliberate restriction.