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arrow

n. · v.
US //ˈæɹoʊ// UK //ˈæɹəʊ// ar·row
  1. 1 weapon (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a thin, pointed stick that you shoot from a bow.

    a projectile consisting of a straight shaft with a pointed head and feathers or vanes at the tail, designed to be shot from a bow.

    Example

    The hunter pulled back the string and aimed the arrow at the target.

    Example

    Archaeologists discovered several flint arrowheads, suggesting that the tribe used sophisticated arrows for hunting large game during the winter months.
  2. 2 directional symbol (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a sign or symbol used to show a direction.

    a graphical symbol used to indicate direction or to point toward a specific object or location.

    Example

    Follow the yellow arrows on the floor to find the exit.

    Example

    The diagram uses a bold red arrow to illustrate the flow of capital from the central bank to commercial lenders.
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  1. 3 computing/math (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Computing

    a symbol used in computer code or math to connect two things.

    a symbol, often represented as '->', used in programming to access members of a structure or in mathematics to denote a mapping.

    Example

    In this code, the arrow shows that the variable points to a specific memory address.

    Example

    The programmer used an arrow operator to access the object's properties through its pointer, ensuring the data was retrieved efficiently.
  2. 4 to move fast (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Literary

    to move very quickly and in a straight line.

    to move with great speed and directness toward a specific destination.

    Example

    The small bird arrowed through the trees and disappeared into its nest.

    Example

    The kingfisher arrowed toward the surface of the lake, striking the water with surgical precision to catch its prey.
  3. 5 to assign a task (v.)
    C1 Advanced Dialect Informal

    to pick someone to do a job they do not want to do.

    to single out or nominate an individual for an undesirable task or responsibility.

    Example

    My boss arrowed me to write the meeting minutes again.

    Example

    I was hoping to leave early, but I got arrowed to stay behind and finish the monthly report.

    Usage

    Commonly used in Singaporean English (Singlish) as a transitive verb.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is specific to Singapore and Malaysia; learners in other regions should use 'volunteer' or 'assign' instead.
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.

Word family
Idioms2 entries

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