Narrow Meaning, Definition, Synonyms, Antonyms

 Explore the full meaning and definition of “narrow” with pronunciation, grammar rules, synonyms, antonyms, usage examples, word origin, and more. Perfect for learners, writers, and dictionary lovers.

Narrow

Pronunciation: /ˈnær.oʊ/ IPA: [ˈnæɹ.oʊ] (American), [ˈnæɹ.əʊ] (British) Syllables: nar·row Part of Speech: Adjective, Verb, Noun (rare)

Definitions & Meanings

As an Adjective

  1. Of small width: Having a limited distance from side to side.Example: The path was too narrow for two people to walk side by side.

  2. Limited in extent or scope: Restricted or not comprehensive.Example: She has a narrow view of the subject.

  3. Limited in amount or range: Not wide; slight or minimal.Example: A narrow margin of victory.

  4. Close or tight in fit: Not loose or spacious.Example: These shoes feel a bit narrow.

  5. Closely limited to a specific area: Focused or restricted.Example: A narrow specialization in law.

As a Verb

  1. To reduce in width or extent: To make something less wide or broad.Example: The river narrows as it approaches the bridge.

  2. To limit or restrict: To make something more specific or focused.Example: You need to narrow your search criteria.

  3. To become smaller in scope or extent: To shrink or reduce gradually.Example: The gap is narrowing between the two candidates.

As a Noun (Rare/Obsolete)

  1. A narrow space or passage: A tight or confined area.Example: We passed through a narrow before reaching the open sea. (Obsolete/Poetic)

🌏 1. Mandarin Chinese (中文)

狭窄的 (Xiázhǎi de) – 指宽度小、空间受限，或者在范围、思想上狭隘的事物。 Meaning: Small in width, restricted in space, or limited in scope or thought.

🌍 2. Arabic (العربية)

ضَيِّق (Ḍayyiq) – يعني شيء قليل العرض أو محدود في النطاق أو الفكر. Meaning: Something of small width or limited in scope or thought.

🇮🇳 3. Hindi (हिन्दी)

संकीर्ण (Sankīrṇ) – जिसका विस्तार कम हो, या विचार में सीमित हो। Meaning: Something that is narrow in width or limited in thought.

🇪🇸 4. Spanish (Español)

Estrecho – Que tiene poca anchura o es limitado en extensión o pensamiento. Meaning: Something that has little width or is limited in scope or thinking.

🇧🇷 5. Portuguese (Português)

Estreito – Algo com pouca largura ou limitado em escopo ou pensamento. Meaning: Something with small width or limited in scope or thought.

🇧🇩 6. Bengali (বাংলা)

সংকীর্ণ (Saṅkīrṇa) – যার প্রস্থ কম, অথবা চিন্তা ও দৃষ্টিভঙ্গিতে সীমাবদ্ধ। Meaning: Narrow in width or limited in perspective and thought.

🇷🇺 7. Russian (Русский)

Узкий (Uzkiy) – Имеющий малую ширину или ограниченный по охвату или взглядам. Meaning: Having small width or being limited in scope or views.

🇯🇵 8. Japanese (日本語)

狭い (Semai) – 幅が狭い、または考え方・範囲が限定されている状態。 Meaning: Limited in width or in range of thought or perspective.

🇫🇷 9. French (Français)

Étroit – Qui a une petite largeur ou un champ de vision ou d’esprit limité. Meaning: Something with little width or a narrow mindset or scope.

🇮🇳 10. Odia (ଓଡ଼ିଆ)

ସଙ୍କୀଣ (Saṅkīṇa) – ଯାହାର ପ୍ରସ୍ଥ ଅତ୍ୟଳ୍ପ ଅଟେ କିମ୍ବା ଚିନ୍ତାଧାରାରେ ସୀମିତ। Meaning: Something with very small width or restricted in thought.

Synonyms

Adjective

  • Tight

  • Slim

  • Slender

  • Restricted

  • Limited

  • Constrained

  • Confined

  • Cramped

Verb

  • Reduce

  • Decrease

  • Tighten

  • Constrict

  • Focus

  • Limit

  • Diminish

Antonyms

Adjective

  • Wide

  • Broad

  • Spacious

  • Expansive

  • Open

  • Vast

  • Extensive

Verb

  • Widen

  • Expand

  • Broaden

  • Enlarge

  • Increase

  • Widen out

Word Origin & History

The word “narrow” comes from Old English nearu meaning “narrow, constricted, limited”, which is related to Old High German narro and Old Norse nǫrr. The word has Germanic roots, and its sense of being “tight or small in width” has been consistent through its evolution. The verb form came into use in the Middle English period, around the 14th century.

Grammar Rules

Adjective Usage

  • Can be used before a noun (attributive): a narrow street

  • Can be used after a linking verb (predicative): The corridor is narrow.

Verb Usage

  • Transitive verb: They narrowed the gap between the chairs.

  • Intransitive verb: The river narrows ahead.

Degrees of Comparison (Adjective)

  • Positive: narrow

  • Comparative: narrower

  • Superlative: narrowestExample: This is the narrowest alley I’ve ever seen.

Verb Forms

  • Base: narrow

  • Third-person singular: narrows

  • Past simple: narrowed

  • Past participle: narrowed

  • Present participle/gerund: narrowing

Common Phrases & Idioms

  • Narrow escape: A situation where someone avoids danger by a small margin.Example: He had a narrow escape from the car accident.

  • Narrow margin: A very small difference.Example: They won the election by a narrow margin.

  • Narrow mind / narrow-minded: Not open to different ideas or opinions.Example: His narrow-minded attitude kept him from learning new things.

  • Narrow down: To reduce the number of options.Example: We need to narrow down the list of candidates.

Usage in Sentences

  1. Adjective:

    • The narrow bridge made it hard for two cars to pass.

    • His narrow thinking limits his potential.

  2. Verb:

    • We need to narrow the scope of this project.

    • The trail narrows as you climb the mountain.

  3. Idiomatic Use:

    • It was a narrow escape from disaster.

    • Can you narrow down the options?

Collocations

  • Narrow path/road/street/alley

  • Narrow focus/view/perspective

  • Narrow margin/victory/defeat

  • Narrow beam/channel/range

  • Narrow the gap/difference/options

Register & Tone

  • Formality: Neutral – suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

  • Tone: Depends on usage; can imply limitation (negative) or precision/focus (positive).

Derived Forms

  • Narrowness(noun): The quality of being narrow. Example: The narrowness of the hallway made it difficult to move furniture.

  • Narrowly(adverb): In a narrow manner; barely. Example: They narrowly avoided a collision.

Related Words

  • Constrict

  • Compact

  • Squeeze

  • Enclose

  • Limit

  • Restrict

In Literature and Culture

  • Often used symbolically to represent limitation, small-mindedness, or challenge.

  • Found in political and academic discussions to critique “narrow” perspectives.

FAQs About Narrow:

Q1: What is the meaning of narrow?A: “Narrow” means having a small width or being limited in extent or scope.

Q2: What is the pronunciation of the word narrow?A: It is pronounced as /ˈnær.oʊ/ in American English and /ˈnæɹ.əʊ/ in British English.

Q3: What are some synonyms for narrow?A: Tight, slim, slender, limited, restricted, and confined are common synonyms.

Q4: What are the antonyms of narrow?A: Wide, broad, open, spacious, and expansive are antonyms of narrow.

Q5: How is “narrow” used as a verb?A: As a verb, “narrow” means to reduce the width or scope of something, such as narrowing a search or a path.

Q6: What is the origin of the word narrow?A: It originates from Old English nearu, meaning constricted or limited, and has Germanic roots.

Q7: Can narrow be used in idioms?A: Yes, phrases like “narrow escape” and “narrow down” are common idioms in English.

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