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Definition of narrow
1a : of slender width a long and narrow roomb : of less than standard or usual width a narrow sidewalkc of a textile : woven in widths usually less than 18 inches (46 centimeters)
2 : limited in size or scope a narrow interpretation
3a : illiberal (see illiberal d) in views or disposition : prejudiced the days of cold hearts and narrow minds — T. B. Macaulayb chiefly dialectal : stingy, niggardly
4a : barely sufficient : close won by a narrow marginb : 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 3
narrowly
adverbnarrowness
nounIndulge Your Inner Word Nerd
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 of narrow from the Web
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These blanket condemnations are part of a very narrow and skewed reading of both history and current events.
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A warren of increasingly narrow tunnels leads to the reef, where miners blast a rock face rich with gold.
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As malls and retail chains throw down the shutters, Nike’s distribution network has become narrower.
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Short of simple persuasion, McConnell’s narrow path to passage likely involves a combination of more money sought by moderates and a loosening of existing regulations that conservatives want—if the various factions will agree to a trade.
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Large keratinous sheets on the altirostral snout of a big theropod (‘altirostral’ = narrow and tall-sided) might result in a very different look.
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The path was too narrow for Borch to run past the raccoon, which had begun lunging at her.
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The air is clean and views are stunning, but working here is not for the faint of heart as drivers maneuver large machines along narrow ribbons that feel suspended above an abyss.
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These old roads are narrow, twisting and run through a canyon — perfect San Diego County back roads.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'narrow'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of narrow
Middle English narowe, from Old English nearu; akin to Old High German narwa scar
narrow
Definition of narrow
Examples of narrow in a Sentence
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 of narrow from the Web
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The incoming senior defensive end had narrowed his final three choices to Indiana, Iowa State and Boston College.
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St. X coach Will Wolford, who played at Vanderbilt from 1982-85, said Smock recently had narrowed his choices to Vanderbilt, Purdue and Louisville.
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While the prime minister sought to capitalize on opinion polls showing that the Conservatives had a wide lead over the opposition Labour Party, that gap has narrowed in recent weeks.
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But the gap has narrowed as the voters’ focus has moved away from Brexit to domestic issues such as education, health care and the impact of government spending cuts.
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Polls which had given the prime minister’s Tories as much as a 20-point lead over the left-leaning Labour Party have narrowed into the single figures.
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Spring update Many of Auburn's targets are narrowing things down.
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Four thousand computers at the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics in Germany help him narrow down the digital location of that holiest of grails.
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Boente oversaw the prosecution of former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell for corruption before the Supreme Court threw out the conviction in 2016, a decision that effectively narrowed the definition of political corruption.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'narrow'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of narrow
see 1narrow
narrow
Definition of narrow
: a narrow part or passage; specifically : a strait connecting two bodies of water —usually used in pl. but singular or plural in construction
Recent Examples of narrow from the Web
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A caustic comedy about country and class, the play intends to skewer working-class narrow-mindedness and liberal condescension.
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Fishing is still good in the narrows for kokanee salmon.
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Find them in the shallows in the back of the narrows.
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A group of three spots dark clouds and races through the narrows.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'narrow'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of narrow
see 1narrow
NARROW Defined for English Language Learners
narrow
playDefinition of narrow for English Language Learners
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: long and not wide : small from one side to the other side
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: including or involving a small number of things or people : limited in range or amount
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: almost not successful : very close to failure : almost not enough for success
narrow
Definition of narrow for English Language Learners
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: to make (something) less wide
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: to become less wide
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: to make (something) smaller in amount or range
NARROW Defined for Kids
Definition of narrow for Students
narrower
;narrowest
1 : of slender or less than usual width …Kino ran straight to the narrow dock where the fishing boats bobbed up and down… — Pearl S. Buck, The Big Wave
2 : limited in size or extent We had a narrow range of choices.
3 : not broad or open in mind or views They are narrow in their thinking.
4 : barely successful : close We made a narrow escape.
narrowly
adverbnarrowness
nounDefinition of narrow for Students
narrowed
;narrowing
1 : to make or become less wide … his yellow eyes narrowed to slits. — Scott O'Dell, Island of the Blue Dolphins
2 : to limit in number : become fewer The list of candidates has been narrowed to ten.
Definition of narrow for Students
: a narrow passage connecting two bodies of water —usually used in pl.
Learn More about narrow
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for narrow Spanish Central: Translation of narrow Nglish: Translation of narrow for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of narrow for Arabic speakers
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