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
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
Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Add ice to a tall narrow glass pulled from the freezer and add chilled whisky.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2025
Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
The candidate pool has been narrowed down to five people, Bessent confirmed.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2025
Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Along the narrow, two‑lane mountain road were slopes on either side, planted with rice or else wild with tropical flora and giant ferns.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025
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
Democratic New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill has a narrow lead over Republican rival Jack Ciattarelli in the race for governor, according to polling.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Add ice to a tall narrow glass pulled from the freezer and add chilled whisky.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
Regardless, a dominant defense can only mask so much; unless the offense starts sustaining drives, protecting the ball, and getting its best playmakers involved early, Cleveland’s window to salvage the year narrows quickly.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
The candidate pool has been narrowed down to five people, Bessent confirmed.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
Teams wait for direction, data keeps moving and the window to contain narrows.
—Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Along the narrow, two‑lane mountain road were slopes on either side, planted with rice or else wild with tropical flora and giant ferns.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for narrow
Cite this Entry
“Narrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/narrow. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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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