narrow

1 of 3

adjective

nar·​row ˈner-(ˌ)ō How to pronounce narrow (audio)
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 mindsT. 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
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

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
Next to Luzerne County, Bucks County has the narrowest divide among Republican and Democratic voters. Josh Meyer, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 2024 With an extendable pole and washable microfiber dusting cloth, the cleaner reaches the tops of blinds, in between awkward gaps, and underneath narrow spaces. Melissa Epifano, People.com, 26 Oct. 2024
Verb
Both candidates are narrowing in on Wisconsin with just over a week left until Election Day. Hope Karnopp, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024 As a result, interest-rate differentials favoring the dollar are likely to narrow over time as the Fed lowers rates. Nick Sargen, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Noun
Secret Canyon Trail: The hike through Secret Canyon leads through a deeply forested ravine and some beautiful red rock narrows. Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 18 Sep. 2024 Without the 16 electoral college votes from this key state — which also became the focus of false election fraud claims — former president Donald Trump’s path to victory in 2024 narrows significantly. Npr Staff, NPR, 16 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for narrow 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'narrow.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of narrow was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near narrow

Cite this Entry

“Narrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/narrow. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

narrow

1 of 3 adjective
nar·​row ˈnar-ō How to pronounce narrow (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on narrow

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