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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)- An example of narrow used as an adjective is the phrase narrow mind, which is someone with little knowledge of the world.
- 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
- small in width as compared to length; esp., less wide than is customary, standard, or expected; not wide
- limited in meaning, size, amount, or extent: a narrow majority
- limited in outlook; without breadth of view or generosity; not liberal; prejudiced: a narrow mind
- close; careful; minute; thorough: a narrow inspection
- with limited margin; with barely enough space, time, etc.; barely successful: a narrow escape
- limited in means; with hardly enough to live on: narrow circumstances
- ☆ having a relatively high proportion of protein: said of livestock feed
- Dialectal stingy; parsimonious
- 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
- a narrow part or place, esp. in a valley, mountain pass, road, etc.
- a narrow passage, as between two bodies of water; strait
Related Forms:
- narrowly adverb
- narrowness noun
See narrow in American Heritage Dictionary 4
adjective nar·row·er, nar·row·est
- Of small or limited width, especially in comparison with length.
- Limited in area or scope; cramped.
- Lacking flexibility; rigid: narrow opinions.
- Barely sufficient; close: a narrow margin of victory.
- Painstakingly thorough or attentive; meticulous: narrow scrutiny.
- Linguistics Tense.
- To reduce in width or extent; make narrower.
- To limit or restrict: narrowed the possibilities down to three.
To become narrower; contract.
noun- A part of little width, as a pass through mountains.
- 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
.Related Forms:
- narˈrow·ish adjective
- narˈrow·ly adverb
- narˈrow·ness noun
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