Word
narrowly
Phoneticsnar·row·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈnɛɹoʊɫi/
UK/nˈæɹəʊli/
Adverb of manner
Definitions
01by a small margin
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adv. by a very small amount or distance; almost not happening.
adv. by a slim margin or only just; frequently used with verbs of success, failure, or avoidance.
“The driver narrowly missed the cyclist when he turned the corner.”
“The incumbent candidate narrowly won the election after a tense recount of the ballots in the final three districts.”
Antonyms
02in a limited way
C1 · Advanced Formal · Academic
adv. looking at or defining something in a very strict or limited way.
adv. in a restricted or limited manner; without flexibility or broad interpretation.
“The law was narrowly defined to only include specific types of businesses.”
“The committee interpreted the regulations so narrowly that many deserving applicants were automatically excluded from the grant process.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “narrowly” in context.
Verb
01. narrowly focus
“The research project will narrowly focus on the effects of the new policy in urban areas.”
adv + verb
Real-World Examples
“Currently, the House is narrowly controlled by the Republican Party.” “Greg Docherty exploded a drive through a crowd that Antonin Kinsky did well to save while Nathan Asiimwe headed narrowly off target.” “Portland sit ninth in MLS’s Western Conference, only narrowly in position for the final play-in spot to the playoffs.” Etymology
From Middle English narowly, equivalent to narrow + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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