narrow
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for narrow, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Having a small width compared to length; not wide.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use narrow
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English nearu, "narrow, confined", tracing back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to twist or constrict".
Full origin of narrow →Frequently asked questions
What does “narrow” mean?
The word “narrow” means having a small width compared to length; not wide. In plain terms, not wide — a small distance from side to side, or (figuratively) limited in scope.
How do you pronounce “narrow”?
“Narrow” is pronounced NA-roh (/ˈnæɹəʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “narrow” in a sentence?
Here is “narrow” used in a sentence: “The car barely fit down the narrow alley.”
What is another word for “narrow”?
Words with a similar meaning to “narrow” include taper.
What part of speech is “narrow”?
Depending on how it is used, “narrow” can be an adjective, a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “narrow” come from?
The word “narrow” comes from Old English. From Old English nearu, "narrow, confined", tracing back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to twist or constrict".
Is “narrow” a common word?
“Narrow” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “narrow” have?
“Narrow” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having a small width compared to length; not wide.
What is the difference between narrow and thin?
"Narrow" describes something with a small width compared to its length, such as a narrow road, corridor, or gap. "Thin" describes small thickness or a slim body, as in a thin slice or a thin person. You would call a street narrow but a sheet of paper thin, and swapping them often sounds unnatural.