narrow
13 synonyms and 2 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.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Having a small width compared to length; not wide.
“The car barely fit down the narrow alley.”
Opposites
2. verb
To make or become smaller in width or scope.
“The road narrows sharply just before the bridge.”
Opposites
How to use narrow
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
narrow street
narrow margin
narrow it down
narrow-minded
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.
