26984 words

narrow

15 definitions • 28 examples
1
having a small distance from one side to the other, especially in comparison with the length:

Examples:

a narrow bridge/passage/gap
a narrow face
narrow feet
The little village has very narrow streets.
2
limited to a small area of interest, activity, or thought:

Examples:

They are unable to see beyond the narrow world of the theatre.
It was regarded as a very narrow interpretation of the law.
3
A narrow result is one that could easily have been different because the amount by which someone failed or succeeded was very small:

Examples:

The election was won by the very narrow margin of only 185 votes.
The opposition had a narrow defeat.
We won a narrow victory.
4
a situation in which you avoid danger although you very nearly do not:

Examples:

We got out in time but it was a narrow escape.
5
to become less wide or to make something less wide:

Examples:

The road narrows after the bridge.
He narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
They have narrowed the focus of the investigation, to concentrate on younger adults.
figurative We must strive to narrow the gap between rich and poor.
6
to become less:

Examples:

The retailer's loss narrowed to $3 million from $10 million a year earlier.
7
having a small distance from one side to the other:

Examples:

Scenes from the movie were filmed in some of Rome’s ancient, narrow streets.
8
Narrow also means slight, esp. as a measure of difference:

Examples:

He was defeated in the election by a narrow margin.
It was a narrow victory, with the golf tournament decided by a single stroke.
9
Narrow also means only just successful:

Examples:

He had a narrow escape, getting out of the car just before it burst into flames.
10

Examples:

11
to become or make something narrower or smaller:

Examples:

[ I ] The road narrows from four lanes to two when you leave town.
[ T ] Senate leaders met again to try to narrow the budget deficit.
12

Examples:

a narrow margin/defeat/victory/lead The election was won by a narrow margin of 85 votes.
13
including only a small number of things:

Examples:

Specialization by developing countries in a narrow range of commodities had left them vulnerable to external shocks.
With little money available, the policymakers established narrow eligibility criteria and limited the number of grants.
14
if something trades in a narrow range, it does not go up and down very much in price:

Examples:

15
to become less in amount, or to make something become less in amount:

Examples:

narrow to sth (from sth) The retailer's loss narrowed to $3 million from $10 million a year earlier.
a narrowing gap/difference/deficit

Navigation