What is narrow? Pronunciation and usage in English

narrow means . Learn how to pronounce and use narrow through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of narrow

narrowadjective

/ˈnarəʊ/
Definition & pronunciation of narrow

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "narrow" in English. There are a couple of common pronunciations, and they're both generally accepted. Here's a breakdown of both:

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (Primarily in North America):

  • ˈnæ.roʊ (This is the one you'll hear most often in the US and Canada)

    • ˈnā - This part sounds like "nah" (like the beginning of "nah-nah-nah"). It's stressed.
    • roʊ - This is a rounded "o" sound, like the "o" in "go" or "no." It's a diphthong (two sounds blended together).

2. The British Pronunciation:

  • ˈnæ.roʊ (Very similar to the American pronunciation, but with a slightly different emphasis on the "na" part)

    • ˈnæ - This is a more open "a" sound, closer to the "a" in "father" or "sat." It's stressed.
    • roʊ - Same rounded "o" sound as above.

Here's a helpful breakdown of the sounds:

  • 'n' - as in "no"
  • 'a' - as in "father" (in both pronunciations)
  • 'r' - This is a trilled 'r'. This is one of the key differences between the American and British pronunciations. (A trill is when the tongue vibrates against the roof of your mouth.) However, in some American accents, the 'r' sound can be softer and less noticeable.
  • 'o' - as in "go" (rounded vowel sound)

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

To help me give you the most useful advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (This will help me tailor the pronunciation advice to your accent).

Usage and examples with the word narrow in English

Let's break down how to use the word "narrow" in English. It's a versatile word with several different meanings and ways to use it. Here's a breakdown categorized by usage:

1. As an Adjective (Describing Width):

  • Meaning: Having a small width; restricted in space.
  • Examples:
    • "The hallway was narrow and difficult to walk through." (Describes the width of the hallway)
    • "She wore a narrow belt to cinch her waist." (Describes the width of the belt)
    • "The river was narrow at this point." (Describes the width of the river)
    • "The streets in the old town are narrow and winding."

2. As an Adjective (Describing Focus/Scope):

  • Meaning: Limited in scope or subject matter; concentrated.
  • Examples:
    • "The investigation took a narrow focus on one suspect." (Limited to that suspect)
    • "He had a narrow understanding of the topic, focusing only on technical details." (Limited knowledge)
    • “The debate became narrow as the two candidates focused on a single disagreement.” (Focused on a single point)

3. As a Verb (To Make Something Narrow):

  • Meaning: To make or become narrower; to restrict.
  • Examples:
    • "She narrowed her eyes in suspicion." (Focused her gaze)
    • "The company narrowed its focus to a specific market segment." (Made its focus more limited)
    • "He narrowed the gap between the two theories." (Reduced the difference)
    • "The road was narrowed to a single lane." (Made it narrower)

4. As an Adverb (Describing How Something is Narrowed):

  • Meaning: In a narrow manner; restrictively. (Less common usage, but worth knowing)
  • Example:
    • “He narrowly escaped the falling debris.” (Barely escaped)

Here's a table summarizing the different uses:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Adjective Small width "A narrow path."
Adjective Limited scope/focus "A narrow topic of discussion."
Verb To make narrower "He narrowed his stance on the issue."
Adverb In a restricted manner "He narrowly avoided the accident."

Tips for Using "Narrow" Effectively:

  • Context is key: The meaning of “narrow” will depend heavily on the context of the sentence.
  • Synonyms: Consider synonyms to add variety to your writing: restricted, limited, tight, constricted.
  • Figurative use: "Narrow" is often used figuratively to describe a focused or limited perspective.

Would you like me to:

  • Give you more examples of how to use "narrow" in a specific context (e.g., business, writing, conversation)?
  • Help you differentiate between similar words like "restricted" and "limited"?

Synonyms for the word narrow

Idioms of the word narrow

the straight and narrow
(informal)the honest and morally acceptable way of living
  • His friends try to keep him on the straight and narrow.

Practice with vocabulary narrow

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Due to the ongoing construction, only one lane of traffic is currently open, making the passage incredibly __________.
  2. The committee voted to __________ the scope of the project, focusing only on the most critical objectives.
  3. The company's expansion plans were __________ by unexpected delays in obtaining the necessary permits.
  4. The new security regulations have made access to certain files very __________, requiring multiple layers of authentication.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of the following words describes a passage that has very little width? a) wide b) spacious c) narrow d) expansive

  2. If someone has a very restricted or limited viewpoint, their perspective could be described as: a) broad b) comprehensive c) narrow d) extensive e) insular

  3. The budget allowed for only a very small margin for error. Which words could describe this margin? a) generous b) slender c) ample d) narrow e) tight

  4. Which word best describes a highly detailed and focused study? a) general b) vague c) precise d) superficial

  5. The architect designed a house with a very compact and small footprint. Which word describes its spatial characteristics? a) vast b) sprawling c) confined d) open

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The company needs to focus its efforts more intensely on a specific group of customers.

    • Rewrite the sentence, using "narrow" or a related word form:

  2. Original: Winning the contract was incredibly difficult, achieved by only a very small difference.

    • Rewrite the sentence, using "narrow" or a related word form:

  3. Original: The small space in the aircraft's cabin made it uncomfortable for taller passengers.

    • Rewrite the sentence, but do not use "narrow" or its forms. Use a suitable replacement word:

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. narrow
  2. narrow
  3. limited
  4. strict

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) narrow
  2. c) narrow, e) insular
  3. b) slender, d) narrow, e) tight
  4. c) precise
  5. c) confined

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The company needs to narrow its focus to a specific group of customers.
  2. Winning the contract was incredibly difficult, achieved by only a narrow margin.
  3. The cramped space in the aircraft's cabin made it uncomfortable for taller passengers.

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