narrow
/ˈnær.oʊ/
NOUN
1. A narrow passage or waterway
A narrow passage, especially a contracted part of a stream, lake, or sea; a strait connecting two bodies of water.
1.1. A narrow passage between bodies of water
A restricted stretch of water connecting two larger bodies of water or forming a narrow channel.
Synonyms
Examples
- The ship passed through the narrow between the two islands.
Related Words
- inlet
- estuary
- bay
- fjord
- gulf
ADJECTIVE
2. Having a small width
Having a small width; not wide; having opposite edges or sides that are close, especially by comparison to length or depth.
2.1. Physically small in width
Describes something that has little distance between its opposite sides or edges.
Synonyms
- slim
- thin
- slender
- skinny
- tight
Antonyms
- wide
- broad
- thick
Examples
- The path through the forest became narrow as they ventured deeper into the woods.
- She had to squeeze her car through the narrow alley to reach the parking lot.
Related Words
- elongated
- linear
- compressed
- constricted
- cramped
ADJECTIVE
3. Of limited extent or scope
Of little extent; very limited; circumscribed.
3.1. Limited in range or coverage
Describes something restricted to a small area, range, number, or subject rather than covering a broad scope.
Synonyms
- limited
- restricted
- confined
- circumscribed
- finite
Antonyms
- broad
- extensive
- comprehensive
- unlimited
Examples
- The narrow focus of his research allowed him to delve deep into a specific aspect of the topic.
Related Words
ADJECTIVE
4. Restrictive or lacking flexibility
Restrictive; without flexibility or latitude.
4.1. Strict or restrictive rules
Describes rules, conditions, or interpretations that allow little freedom, flexibility, or room for variation.
Synonyms
- restrictive
- rigid
- inflexible
- confining
- constricting
Antonyms
- flexible
- liberal
- permissive
- unrestricted
Examples
- The narrow regulations left little room for individual judgment.
Related Words
- limited
- constrained
- stringent
- fixed
ADJECTIVE
5. Limited in outlook or tolerance
Contracted; of limited scope; bigoted.
5.1. Intolerant or prejudiced opinions
Describes a person or viewpoint that is unwilling to consider different beliefs, perspectives, or ways of thinking.
Synonyms
- bigoted
- biased
- prejudiced
- parochial
- intolerant
- small-minded
Antonyms
- broad-minded
- open-minded
- tolerant
- impartial
- unbiased
Examples
- His narrow attitude prevented him from understanding other people's perspectives.
Related Words
- dogmatic
- sectarian
- one-sided
- opinionated
- provincial
ADJECTIVE
6. Having a small margin or degree
Having a small margin or degree.
6.1. A very small difference or margin
Describes a result or difference that is close, with very little separation between competing outcomes.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- substantial
- considerable
- wide
Examples
- The narrow victory margin in the election indicated a closely contested race.
Related Words
ADJECTIVE
7. Having limited financial means
Limited as to means; straitened.
7.1. Financially restricted circumstances
Describes a situation in which available money or resources are limited.
Synonyms
- straitened
- limited
- meager
- scant
- constrained
Antonyms
Examples
- The family lived on a narrow budget after losing its main source of income.
Related Words
ADJECTIVE
8. Stingy or unwilling to give
Parsimonious; niggardly; covetous; selfish.
8.1. Unwilling to spend or share
Describes someone who is excessively unwilling to spend money, give resources, or share with others.
Synonyms
- stingy
- ungenerous
- miserly
- parsimonious
- mean
Antonyms
Examples
- His narrow approach to spending made him reluctant to contribute to shared expenses.
Related Words
- avaricious
- mercenary
- covetous
- shoestring
ADJECTIVE
9. Close and exact in examination
Scrutinizing in detail; close; accurate; exact.
9.1. Detailed or precise examination
Describes careful scrutiny or attention to details, often involving exact measurement or close observation.
Synonyms
- close
- detailed
- precise
- exact
- meticulous
Antonyms
- cursory
- imprecise
- superficial
Examples
- The investigators conducted a narrow examination of the available evidence.
Related Words
ADJECTIVE
10. A close vowel sound
Formed, as a vowel, by a close position of some part of the tongue in relation to the palate; distinguished from wide.
10.1. Phonetic description of vowels
Describes a vowel articulated with the tongue positioned close to the roof of the mouth.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- open
- wide
Examples
- The vowel is classified as narrow because the tongue is held close to the palate.
Related Words
- vowel
- articulation
- phonetics
- tongue
VERB
11. To reduce in width or extent
To reduce in width or extent; to contract.
11.1. Making something narrower
To decrease the width, size, or extent of something by bringing its sides closer together or reducing its range.
Synonyms
- contract
- constrict
- tighten
- reduce
- compress
Antonyms
- widen
- broaden
- expand
- enlarge
Examples
- The construction work will narrow the road to one lane.
Related Words
VERB
12. To become narrower
To get narrower.
12.1. Gradually decreasing in width
To become smaller in width or to decrease in breadth as it extends.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- widen
- broaden
- expand
Examples
- The road begins to narrow as it approaches the mountain pass.
Related Words
- thin
- slim
- attenuate
- elongate
VERB
13. To partially close the eyes
To partially lower one's eyelids in a way usually taken to suggest a defensive, aggressive or penetrating look.
13.1. Squinting or narrowing the eyes
To partly close the eyes, often to see more clearly or to express suspicion, concentration, or hostility.
Synonyms
Examples
- She narrowed her eyes to read the distant sign.
Related Words
- eyelids
- glare
- stare
- scrutinize
VERB
14. To decrease the size of a knitted item
To contract the size of, as a stocking, by taking two stitches into one.
14.1. Reducing stitches in knitting
To decrease the width of knitted fabric by combining stitches, thereby reducing the number of stitches in a row.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- increase
- enlarge
Examples
- The pattern instructs you to narrow the stocking by knitting two stitches together.
Related Words
VERB
15. To convert to a more restrictive data type
To convert to a data type that cannot hold as many distinct values.
15.1. Reducing a data type's range
To convert a value or variable into a data type with a smaller range of representable values.
Synonyms
- restrict
- reduce
- convert
Antonyms
- widen
- expand
Examples
- The compiler may narrow the integer type to use less memory.
Related Words
- data type
- integer
- casting
- programming