narrow

The definition of narrow is someone who is limited in some way or something that is small in width as compared to its length.

(adjective)

  1. An example of narrow used as an adjective is the phrase narrow mind, which is someone with little knowledge of the world.
  2. An example of a narrow window is a long window that is not very wide.

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See narrow in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

  1. small in width as compared to length; esp., less wide than is customary, standard, or expected; not wide
  2. limited in meaning, size, amount, or extent: a narrow majority
  3. limited in outlook; without breadth of view or generosity; not liberal; prejudiced: a narrow mind
  4. close; careful; minute; thorough: a narrow inspection
  5. with limited margin; with barely enough space, time, etc.; barely successful: a narrow escape
  6. limited in means; with hardly enough to live on: narrow circumstances
  7. ☆ having a relatively high proportion of protein: said of livestock feed
  8. Dialectal stingy; parsimonious
  9. Phonet. tense: said of certain vowels

Origin: ME narwe < OE nearu, akin to MDu nare, OS naru < IE base *(s)ner-, to turn, twist > snare, Gr narkē, stupor

intransitive verb

to decrease in width; contract: the river narrows

transitive verb

to decrease or limit in width, extent, or scope; restrict: to narrow an argument

noun

  1. a narrow part or place, esp. in a valley, mountain pass, road, etc.
  2. a narrow passage, as between two bodies of water; strait

Related Forms:

See narrow in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective nar·row·er, nar·row·est
  1. Of small or limited width, especially in comparison with length.
  2. Limited in area or scope; cramped.
  3. Lacking flexibility; rigid: narrow opinions.
  4. Barely sufficient; close: a narrow margin of victory.
  5. Painstakingly thorough or attentive; meticulous: narrow scrutiny.
  6. Linguistics Tense.
verb nar·rowed, nar·row·ing, nar·rows
verb, transitive
  1. To reduce in width or extent; make narrower.
  2. To limit or restrict: narrowed the possibilities down to three.
verb, intransitive
To become narrower; contract.
noun
  1. A part of little width, as a pass through mountains.
  2. narrows (used with a sing. or pl. verb)
    a. A body of water with little width that connects two larger bodies of water.
    b. A part of a river or an ocean current that is not wide.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English narwe

Origin: , from Old English nearu

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Related Forms:

  • narˈrow·ish adjective
  • narˈrow·ly adverb
  • narˈrow·ness noun

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