[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/narrow/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [N](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/n/) / narrow # narrow adjective (narrower, narrowest); verb (narrow, narrows, narrowed, narrowing) «narrow» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. Narrow means not wide; with only a small distance from one side to the other. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/narrow/#m1) 2. A narrow win, escape or miss is one that only just happens. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/narrow/#m2) 3. To narrow is to become or make something less wide. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/narrow/#m3) 4. To narrow something down is to make a list of choices smaller. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/narrow/#m4) 5. Narrow-minded means not willing to accept new or different ideas. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/narrow/#m5) ### In the lessons In maths, width tells you how narrow or wide a shape is. In road and outdoor safety, narrow lanes and paths have little space for cars and people, so walk in single file and listen for traffic. In stories, a narrow escape is a close call. In thinking, narrowing down helps solve problems (rule out answers). Phrases: a narrow path, narrow escape, narrow victory, narrow it down, narrow-minded. ### Examples - The path was too narrow for two bikes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/narrow/#x1) - We walked in single file down the narrow lane. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/narrow/#x2) - The team won by a narrow margin of one point. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/narrow/#x3) - He had a narrow escape from the falling branch. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/narrow/#x4) - The river narrows near the bridge. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/narrow/#x5) - We narrowed the choices down to two. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/narrow/#x6) - Her eyes narrowed with suspicion. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/narrow/#x7) ### Note Opposite: wide, broad. Adverb: narrowly (narrowly missed). In maths problems, a narrow win or narrow margin means a small difference between the two numbers. ## In Jewish tradition In the Balaam story the angel stands in a narrow place with no room to turn aside, so Balaam's donkey is pressed against the wall. Elsewhere narrow means not wide, as in the narrow windows of Solomon's Temple, a narrow pit, or a bed covering too narrow to wrap in. **Interpretation.** Tradition reads the narrow path as a lesson that the angel blocked Balaam completely, so that even the donkey could see what the prophet could not. The wise men of Proverbs use a "narrow pit" as a picture of the trap of an immoral woman, and Isaiah uses the too-short bed as a picture of a false hope that cannot protect. ### Examples - And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. (Torah NUM.22.26, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/N/narrow/#x1) - And for the house he made windows broad within, and narrow without. (Prophets 1KI.6.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/N/narrow/#x2) - For a harlot is a deep ditch; and an alien woman is a narrow pit. (Writings PRO.23.27, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/N/narrow/#x3) - For the bed is too short for a man to stretch himself; and the covering too narrow when he gathereth himself up. (Prophets ISA.28.20, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/N/narrow/#x4) ### Note Opposite: wide, broad. Adverb: narrowly (narrowly missed). In maths problems, a narrow win or narrow margin means a small difference between the two numbers. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «narrow» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/narrow/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«narrow» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/narrow.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «narrow» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/N/narrow/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«narrow» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/narrow.html) on Mova free.