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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | nearu |
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nar‧row1 S3 W2
1 measuring only a small distance from one side to the other, especially in relation to the length [≠ wide; ↪ broad] his narrow bed The stairs were very narrow. a long, narrow band of cloud
not wide
his narrow bedThe stairs were very narrow.a long, narrow band of cloud2 a situation in which you only just avoid danger, difficulties, or trouble : He was shaken by his narrow escape from death.
narrow escape
He was shaken by his narrow escape from death.3 a win etc that is only just achieved or happens by only a small amount [↪ slim]: The president won a narrow victory in the election. He persuaded a narrow majority of the party to support the government. Scotland eventually won the match by the narrow margin of 5-4.
narrow victory/defeat/majority/margin etc
The president won a narrow victory in the election.He persuaded a narrow majority of the party to support the government.Scotland eventually won the match by the narrow margin of 5-4.4 a narrow attitude or way of looking at a situation is too limited and does not consider enough possibilities : Some teachers have a narrow vision of what art is. ➔ narrow-minded
ideas/attitudes
Some teachers have a narrow vision of what art is.5 a meaning of a word that is exact or limited : I use the word 'neighbour' in its more precise or narrower sense.
narrow sense/definition
I use the word 'neighbour' in its more precise or narrower sense.6 limited in range or number of things : The company offered only a narrow range of financial services.
limited
The company offered only a narrow range of financial services. —narrowness noun [uncountable]
➔ narrowly, narrows