arrow

n. countable

B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈæɹoʊ// UK //ˈæɹəʊ// ar·row

Archaic General-service Informal

n. a thin, pointed stick that you shoot from a bow, or a symbol used to show direction.

n. a projectile shot from a bow, typically consisting of a straight shaft with a sharp point and feathers at the end; also, a graphical symbol used to indicate direction or position.

SIMPLE

Follow the red arrow to find the exit.

CONTEXTUAL

The archer pulled back the string and released the arrow toward the center of the target.

COMPLEX

In modern user interfaces, a small arrow often indicates a dropdown menu where users can find additional settings or navigation links.

Synonyms

pointer

Etymology 1

From Middle English arwe, from Old English earh (“arrow”) (oblique form ēarw-), from Proto-West Germanic arhu (“arrow”), from Proto-Germanic arhwō (“arrow”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂érkʷo- (“bow, arrow”). Cognate with Faroese ørv, ørvur (“arrow”), Icelandic ör (“arrow”), örvar (“arrows”), Gothic 𐌰𐍂𐍈𐌰𐌶𐌽𐌰 (arƕazna, “dart”), Asturian and Leonese arcu (“arrow”), Aragonese, Galician, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish arco (“arrow”), Catalan, French, and Romanian arc (“arrow”), Latin arcus (“bow”). Doublet of arch, arc, arco, and arcus.

Etymology 2

Representing pronunciation.

Usage

Commonly used with the verbs 'shoot', 'fire', or 'follow'.

Idioms2 entries