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 a) 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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

To fuel businesses outside that narrow footprint, the Downtown Detroit Partnership created fan viewing sites in nearby parks. —Ken Belson, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2024

The town, which sits in a narrow valley enclosed by steep, forested slopes, has a population of only 600. —Simon Willis, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 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