1
a
: of slender width
a long and narrow room
b
: of less than standard or usual width
a narrow sidewalk
c
of a textile
: woven in widths usually less than 18 inches (46 centimeters)
2
: limited in size or scope
a narrow interpretation
3
a
: illiberal (see illiberal sense a) in views or disposition : prejudiced
the days of cold hearts and narrow minds—
T. B. Macaulay
T. B. Macaulay4
a
: barely sufficient : close
won by a narrow margin
b
: 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
narrowly
adverb
narrowness
noun
narrowed; narrowing; narrows
1
: to decrease the breadth or extent of : contract
—often used with down
2
: to decrease the scope or sphere of : limit
—often used with down
narrow down the choices
: to lessen in width or extent : contract
—often used with down
: a narrow part or passage
specifically
: a strait connecting two bodies of water
—usually used in plural but singular or plural in construction
Synonyms
Examples of narrow in a Sentence
Adjective
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
Verb
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.
Noun
we had to cautiously navigate our dinghy through the narrows before reaching the open water of the bay
Recent Examples on the WebJack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2024
In spite of the narrow margins Newsom saw with Proposition 1, Muratsuchi remains optimistic voters will want to fund school improvements.
—Lindsey Holden, Sacramento Bee, 31 May 2024
David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2024
Scott Peterson’s quest to prove his innocence in the notorious killing of his pregnant wife and unborn son has been considerably narrowed.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2024
Paul Bloom, WSJ, 28 Oct. 2023
Your pupil naturally widens and narrows based on the brightness of the light around you.
—Troy Bedinghaus, Od, Verywell Health, 17 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for narrow 
Adjective
Advertisement A week ago on the southern route, a harrowing human traffic jam left dozens of climbers shuffling in single file along a narrow ridge just below the summit — a pileup that turned deadly when a snow cornice collapsed beneath their feet.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2024
In spite of the narrow margins Newsom saw with Proposition 1, Muratsuchi remains optimistic voters will want to fund school improvements.
—Lindsey Holden, Sacramento Bee, 31 May 2024
Verb
In University City, Governor Drive — the main east-west route in the southern part of the neighborhood — would be narrowed from four car lanes to two car lanes to make way for bicycle lanes.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2024
Scott Peterson’s quest to prove his innocence in the notorious killing of his pregnant wife and unborn son has been considerably narrowed.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2024
Noun
Adrenaline is released, heart rate increases, blood flows into the muscles, the digestive system shuts down and consciousness narrows, focusing on the threat.
—Paul Bloom, WSJ, 28 Oct. 2023
Your pupil naturally widens and narrows based on the brightness of the light around you.
—Troy Bedinghaus, Od, Verywell Health, 17 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for narrow
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'narrow.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near narrow
Cite this Entry
“Narrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/narrow. Accessed 5 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
narrow
1 of 3 adjective
nar·row
ˈnar-ō 
1
a
: of slender width
a narrow space
b
: of less than usual width
narrow roads
2
: limited in size or scope
a narrow selection of jeans
3
: not broad or open in views or opinions
narrow in their thinking
4
a
: barely enough for the purpose : close
won by a narrow margin
b
: barely successful
a narrow escape
narrowly
adverb
narrowness
noun
narrow
2 of 3 noun
: a narrow part or passage
especially
: a strait connecting two bodies of water
—usually used in plural
narrow
3 of 3 verb
: to lessen in width or extent : contract
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share