What does "narrowly" mean?

1. (by a small margin) by a very small amount or distance; almost not happening. 2. (in a limited way) looking at or defining something in a very strict or limited way.

narrowly

adv.

US //ˈnɛɹoʊɫi// UK //nˈæɹəʊli// nar·row·ly

1 by a small margin (adv.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

by a very small amount or distance; almost not happening.

by a slim margin or only just; frequently used with verbs of success, failure, or avoidance.

Example

The driver narrowly missed the cyclist when he turned the corner.

Example

The incumbent candidate narrowly won the election after a tense recount of the ballots in the final three districts.
- easily
- decisively
2 in a limited way (adv.)
C1 Advanced Formal Academic

looking at or defining something in a very strict or limited way.

in a restricted or limited manner; without flexibility or broad interpretation.

Example

The law was narrowly defined to only include specific types of businesses.

Example

The committee interpreted the regulations so narrowly that many deserving applicants were automatically excluded from the grant process.
- strictly
- specifically
- broadly
- widely

Origin

From Middle English narowly, equivalent to narrow + -ly.