limbs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "limbs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the arms and legs of a person or animal, or metaphorically to describe parts of a larger structure or system. Example: "The tree's limbs swayed gently in the breeze, creating a soothing rustle of leaves."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This has the effect of making the figurative drawing more abstract, paradoxically, neutralising the shock effect of the splayed limbs, the proffered genitalia, the immediate sexual context of artist and model.

The Guardian - Arts

These days, if I spend too long on the internet, I feel like crawling back into the sea and trying to de-evolve my limbs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Enthusiastic Wii Sports usage has seen televisions destroyed by flying remotes and a variety of injuries, including fractured limbs, dislocated knee caps, torn knee ligaments and facial injuries.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She takes Cilla Black, ungainly with her long legs coltishly splayed and drinking from a paper cup, all wrapped up in her limbs, and it's not in the slightest degree humiliating, but lovable.

The Guardian - Arts

It's not just about the size of their limbs, it depends on how well they can move them.

The Guardian

More than 15,000 customers in Maryland were without power, where the weight of the ice weakened tree limbs that then contacted power lines and other equipment.

The Guardian

In the film, which Ruiz considered not far from Monty Python, John Hurt plays both a wicked marquis and a manufacturer of prosthetic limbs.

The Guardian - Film

In his autobiographical novel, The Kindness of Women, JG Ballard glosses his experience of dissection as a Cambridge medical student thus: "As the four teams began to dissect this unknown woman, opening flaps of skin in her limbs, neck and abdomen, she seemed to undress in a last act of self-revelation, unpacking herself of all the mortal elements of her life".

The Guardian - Arts

The baby is born – a mass of limp, tumbling limbs, he has no tone - and you cradle him gently, washing him and dressing him until his parents are ready to cuddle and touch him.

The Guardian

Detainees were forced to stand on broken limbs for hours, kept in complete darkness, deprived of sleep for up to 180 hours, sometimes standing, sometimes with their arms shackled above their heads.

The Guardian

At this level, it's a poised graphic object, but its eccentric repertoire of figurative imagery – mythical monsters, dismembered limbs, bugs and gargoyles – and its frantic, deranged textual contents violently contradict its formal elegance.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In figurative language, use "limbs" to represent parts of a larger system or organization, emphasizing their extension and connection to the core.

Common error

While "limbs" can be used metaphorically, overuse in non-anatomical contexts can make your writing sound awkward. Consider using more appropriate terms like "branches", "extensions", or "parts" depending on the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary function of "limbs" is to serve as a noun, referring to the arms and legs of a person or animal. As Ludwig AI explains, it’s grammatically correct and usable, frequently appearing in both literal and figurative contexts. Its plural form indicates multiple body parts or structural components.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "limbs" is a versatile and grammatically sound noun frequently used to describe arms and legs, as well as figurative extensions of a system or structure. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is correct for use. Its high frequency across diverse sources, particularly in news, scientific, and formal contexts, underscores its broad applicability. While alternatives like "appendages" or extremities may suit specific contexts, "limbs" remains a clear and widely understood term. Remember to avoid overuse in non-anatomical contexts to maintain clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appendages

Replaces "limbs" with a more formal or scientific term for body parts.

extremities

Focuses on the outer parts of the body, like arms and legs, similar to "limbs".

members

Offers a more general term for body parts, slightly less specific than "limbs".

body parts

Provides a direct and simple alternative, suitable for general contexts.

arms and legs

Specifies the primary components usually associated with "limbs".

protuberances

A less common word to describe body parts or things that stick out from a central body.

branches

Uses the term metaphorically, referring to parts of a system or organization.

offshoots

Another metaphor for parts that extend from a main structure, similar to branches.

extensions

Highlights the aspect of limbs as things that extend from the body or a structure.

outgrowths

Emphasizes the organic development or origin of the parts in question.

FAQs

How can I use "limbs" in a sentence?

You can use "limbs" to describe the arms and legs of a person or animal, as in "The athlete stretched their "limbs" before the race." It can also be used metaphorically to describe parts of a tree or organization.

What is a more formal word for "limbs"?

A more formal term for "limbs" is "appendages", often used in scientific or medical contexts to refer to body parts that extend from the main body.

Is it correct to use "limbs" when referring to tree branches?

Yes, "limbs" can refer to tree branches, particularly larger ones. Using "branches" is also correct, but "limbs" emphasizes the size and structural importance of the branch.

What is the difference between "limbs" and "extremities"?

"Limbs" typically refers to arms and legs, while "extremities" encompasses the furthest points of the body, including hands, feet, fingers, and toes. Therefore, "extremities" is a broader term.