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 b) 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 Web
Erin Doherty, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024
Blackhawks express desperation but don't show it in another narrow defeat
What's ailing the Packers in the red zone?
—New York Times, 20 Nov. 2024
Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 20 Nov. 2024
Education is ultimately the responsibility of state and local governments under the current setup, but federal money supplements state resources and funds a variety of programs, many aimed at narrowing funding gaps for low-income or at-risk students.
—Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Nate Trela, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2024
This condition happens when the mitral valve opening narrows.
—Kelly Burch Published, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for narrow 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
Shutting down the Department of Education requires congressional approval and with Republicans holding a narrow majority in the Senate, Trump's bid faces a narrow path forward.
—Erin Doherty, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024
Blackhawks express desperation but don't show it in another narrow defeat
What's ailing the Packers in the red zone?
—New York Times, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
Meanwhile, the Wisconsin state Senate saw Democrats win a trio of close races to narrow the Republican majority; that included one particularly high-cost battle for District 8.
—Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 20 Nov. 2024
Education is ultimately the responsibility of state and local governments under the current setup, but federal money supplements state resources and funds a variety of programs, many aimed at narrowing funding gaps for low-income or at-risk students.
—Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
Slowing inflation narrows gap in cost of ‘basics’ Inflation that began during the COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the U.S. economy for years, but recent data shows that the rate has slowed considerably in recent months.
—Nate Trela, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2024
This condition happens when the mitral valve opening narrows.
—Kelly Burch Published, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for narrow
Dictionary Entries Near narrow
Cite this Entry
“Narrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/narrow. Accessed 4 Dec. 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
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