1
b : of less than standard or usual width cof a textile : woven in widths usually less than 18 inches (46 centimeters)
2
: limited in size or scope4
a : barely sufficient : closenarrowed; narrowing; narrows
1
: to decrease the breadth or extent of : contract —often used with down2
: to decrease the scope or sphere of : limit —often used with downnarrow down the choices
: a narrow part or passage specifically : a strait connecting two bodies of water —usually used in plural but singular or plural in construction Examples of narrow in a SentenceAdjective 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 Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.Adjective
In March, Stefanik had to give up plans to represent the U.S. at the United Nations amid concerns that House Republicans, working with a narrow majority, couldn’t afford to lose her vote. —Nik Popli, Time, 1 May 2025 The package of tax reductions and sweeping spending cuts faces headwinds from opposition Democrats and some Republicans worried about the federal deficit, and the GOP's narrow House majority leaves no room for error. —Susan Page, USA Today, 1 May 2025Verb
For one, our joints can become less lubricated, and the space between the segments of our spine can narrow, Dr. Yu tells SELF. —Jenny McCoy, SELF, 1 May 2025 But every year the U.S. delays, the window narrows. —Javier Hasse, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025Noun
Secret Canyon Trail: The hike through Secret Canyon leads through a deeply forested ravine and some beautiful red rock narrows. —Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 18 Sep. 2024 But despite its Instagram appeal, the narrows is a flood manager’s nightmare. —Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2023 See All Example Sentences for narrow Word HistoryEtymology
Adjective, Verb, and Noun
Middle English narowe, from Old English nearu; akin to Old High German narwa scar
First Known Use
Adjective
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun
13th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of narrow was before the 12th century Cite this Entry“Narrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/narrow. Accessed 10 May. 2025.
Last Updated: 4 May 2025 - Updated example sentencesLove words? Need even more definitions?
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