Narrow
'næroʊ
Definitions
3 meaningsHaving a small width or extent; not wide or broad.
'næroʊ
Of small width; not wide
The bridge was too narrow for two cars to pass.
💡 Simply: Imagine a road that's small and not very wide, like a bike path. If something is narrow, it's not spread out a lot. Like a narrow hallway in a house!
👶 For kids: Not wide! Like a little hallway or a small door.
More Examples
The river narrowed as it flowed through the mountains.
He chose a narrow street to avoid the traffic.
How It's Used
"The path was narrow and winding."
"She wore a narrow skirt."
To decrease in width; to make or become less wide or broad.
'næroʊ
To become or make something narrower
The river narrowed as it approached the sea.
💡 Simply: Imagine a road that's getting smaller and smaller as it goes further. Narrow means to make it smaller!
👶 For kids: To get or make something smaller in width.
More Examples
The company narrowed its focus to a specific market.
She narrowed her eyes in concentration.
How It's Used
"The canyon narrowed as it went deeper."
"The focus of the discussion narrowed to a specific issue."
Limited in scope, extent, or capacity; not broad or comprehensive.
'næroʊ
Limited in scope or extent
The debate focused on a narrow range of issues.
💡 Simply: If someone has a narrow view, they only see one side of a story. It is like looking through a small keyhole.
👶 For kids: When something is not big enough, it is narrow.
More Examples
They have a narrow understanding of the subject.
The team won by a narrow margin.
How It's Used
"They held narrow political views."
"A narrow curriculum."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
narrow down
To reduce the number of possibilities or choices.
"We need to narrow down the list of candidates for the job."
narrow-minded
Not willing to accept ideas or ways of behaving that are different from your own.
"His narrow-minded views made it difficult to have a conversation with him."
From Middle English *narwe*, from Old English *nearu* ('narrow, confined'), from Proto-Germanic *narwaz* ('narrow').
The word 'narrow' has been used since Old English times and has consistently referred to limited space, scope, or extent.
Memory tip
Think of a 'narrow' alleyway - it's not very wide!
Practice
Word Origin
Root: *narwaz