narrow
UK: ˈnær.əʊ | US: ˈneroʊ
adj. of small width in relation to length
adj. limited in scope or variety
vt. to reduce in width or extent
vi. to become less wide
The word "narrow" traces back to Old English nearu, which conveyed tightness or constriction, often in a physical sense. Over time, it merged with the concept of a "line" (rāw), emphasizing spatial limitation. The modern sense retains this dual heritage—both literal (physical narrowness) and figurative (limited scope).
The path was too narrow for two people to walk side by side.
She has a narrow view of the world, rarely considering other perspectives.
The river narrows as it flows through the canyon.
His escape was narrow, with only seconds to spare.
The committee narrowed the list of candidates to three finalists.