narrow

1 of 3

adjective

nar·​row ˈner-(ˌ)ō 

ˈna-(ˌ)rō

1

a

: of slender width

a long and narrow room

b

: of less than standard or usual width

a narrow sidewalk

c

of a textile : woven in widths usually less than 18 inches (46 centimeters)

2

: limited in size or scope

a narrow interpretation

3

a

: illiberal (see illiberal sense b) in views or disposition : prejudiced

the days of cold hearts and narrow minds

—T. B. Macaulay

b

chiefly dialectal : stingy, niggardly

4

a

: barely sufficient : close

won by a narrow margin

b

: barely successful

a narrow escape

5

: minutely precise : meticulous

a narrow inspection

6

of an animal ration : relatively rich in protein as compared with carbohydrate and fat

7

: tense sense 3

narrowly adverb

narrowness noun

narrow

2 of 3

verb

narrowed; narrowing; narrows

transitive verb

1

: to decrease the breadth or extent of : contract

—often used with down

2

: to decrease the scope or sphere of : limit

—often used with down

narrow down the choices

intransitive verb

: to lessen in width or extent : contract

—often used with down

narrow

3 of 3

noun

: a narrow part or passage

specifically : a strait connecting two bodies of water

—usually used in plural but singular or plural in construction

Synonyms

Adjective

• fine
• hairline
• needlelike
• paper-thin
• skinny
• slender
• slim
• slim-jim
• thin
• ultrathin

Verb

• capsule
• capsulize
• collapse
• compact
• compress
• condense
• constrict
• constringe
• contract
• squeeze
• telescope

Noun

• channel
• neck
• sound
• strait

Examples of narrow in a Sentence

Adjective

The city's ancient streets are too narrow for buses.

We crossed at the narrowest part of the river.

His shoulders are very narrow.

within the narrow limits allowed by law

They offer a narrow range of flavors: chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla.

the study's narrow focus on 30-year-old men

The study was narrow in scope.

a narrow view of politics

Verb

The path was narrowed by overgrowth.

His eyes narrowed as he focused on the words in front of him.

The vase narrows at its top.

narrowing the range of options

You'll need to narrow the focus of your paper to one central idea.

The gap between their salaries was beginning to narrow.

Noun

we had to cautiously navigate our dinghy through the narrows before reaching the open water of the bay

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Shutting down the Department of Education requires congressional approval and with Republicans holding a narrow majority in the Senate, Trump's bid faces a narrow path forward. —Erin Doherty, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024

Blackhawks express desperation but don't show it in another narrow defeat What's ailing the Packers in the red zone? —New York Times, 20 Nov. 2024

Verb

Meanwhile, the Wisconsin state Senate saw Democrats win a trio of close races to narrow the Republican majority; that included one particularly high-cost battle for District 8. —Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 20 Nov. 2024

Education is ultimately the responsibility of state and local governments under the current setup, but federal money supplements state resources and funds a variety of programs, many aimed at narrowing funding gaps for low-income or at-risk students. —Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024

Noun

Slowing inflation narrows gap in cost of ‘basics’ Inflation that began during the COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the U.S. economy for years, but recent data shows that the rate has slowed considerably in recent months. —Nate Trela, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2024

This condition happens when the mitral valve opening narrows. —Kelly Burch Published, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Verb, and Noun

Middle English narowe, from Old English nearu; akin to Old High German narwa scar

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing narrow

• narrow boat
• narrow-minded
• on the straight and narrow
• straight and narrow
• the straight and narrow

Kids Definition

narrow

1 of 3 adjective

nar·​row ˈnar-ō 

1

a

: of slender width

a narrow space

b

: of less than usual width

narrow roads

2

: limited in size or scope

a narrow selection of jeans

3

: not broad or open in views or opinions

narrow in their thinking

4

a

: barely enough for the purpose : close

won by a narrow margin

b

: barely successful

a narrow escape

narrowly adverb

narrowness noun

narrow

2 of 3 noun

: a narrow part or passage

especially : a strait connecting two bodies of water

—usually used in plural

narrow

3 of 3 verb

: to lessen in width or extent : contract