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
T. B. Macaulay4
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
narrowly
adverb
narrowness
noun
Examples of narrow in a Sentence
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
Recent Examples on the Web
During Black History Month (February) and Women’s History Month (March), the foundation also leads specific tours with a narrow focus on the historic contributions of each group.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
Ai Kitagawa notched her seventh goal of the campaign in the narrow victory, while goalkeeper Isaac Ranson recorded his first clean sheet in his inaugural USL W start.
—Staff Report, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
The town attracts large numbers of laborers who work in large gold mines with muddy pools of gold deposits, narrow pits and caves.
—Justin Kabumba, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
The jetties at the entrance shared by the two harbors block the ocean’s longshore currents that carry sand along the coast, causing wide beaches north of the harbor and narrow ones south of it.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for narrow
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
Ai Kitagawa notched her seventh goal of the campaign in the narrow victory, while goalkeeper Isaac Ranson recorded his first clean sheet in his inaugural USL W start.
—Staff Report, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
The town attracts large numbers of laborers who work in large gold mines with muddy pools of gold deposits, narrow pits and caves.
—Justin Kabumba, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
The jetties at the entrance shared by the two harbors block the ocean’s longshore currents that carry sand along the coast, causing wide beaches north of the harbor and narrow ones south of it.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for narrow
Cite this Entry
“Narrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/narrow. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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