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

Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris remain locked in an extraordinarily narrow fight for the presidency after each candidate spent the final hours of their campaigns trying to win over voters in key swing states. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024

In 2020, her poll showed Trump with a large lead in Iowa while others expected a narrow race or even a Biden win. —Linh Ta, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024

Verb

The gap narrowed as the race got closer, but Figures prevailed nonetheless. —Curtis Bunn, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024

While there are hundreds of adorable animals across the globe, Discover Magazine narrowed this list down to 20 of the cutest animals that exist today. —Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 6 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