What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hirple
Example
The old man hirpled along the path with his cane. [hirpled: verb]
Example
She hirpled to the car after spraining her ankle. [hirpling: gerund or present participle]
limp
Example
He limped off the field after twisting his ankle. [limped: past tense]
Example
She had a slight limp in her step after recovering from surgery. [limp: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Limp is more commonly used than hirple in everyday language. Limp is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while hirple is less common and may not be understood by all English speakers.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hirple and limp?
Both hirple and limp are informal terms and are not typically used in formal contexts. However, limp is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal settings.