narrowing

Meanings

1. 1nounusually singular

   The process of something becoming smaller in width, range, or amount.

   Grammar: Often used with 'a': a narrowing of the road; it can also be uncountable: narrowing of the options.

   Patterns

   • a narrowing of something
   • narrowing of the arteries

   The narrowing of the road caused long delays.

   Doctors found a narrowing of the blood vessels in his heart.

2. 2noununcountabletechnical

   A change in meaning when a word comes to refer to a smaller, more specific group of things.

   Grammar: Used in linguistics; often followed by 'of': the narrowing of 'meat'.

   Patterns

   • semantic narrowing
   • the narrowing of a word

   The narrowing of 'deer' from 'any animal' to one species is a classic example.

   Semantic narrowing happens when a word's meaning becomes less general.

3. 3adjectivebefore a noun

   Becoming less wide or less general; gradually reducing in size or scope.

   Grammar: Used before nouns: a narrowing gap; also after linking verbs: the gap is narrowing.

   Patterns

   • a narrowing gap
   • narrowing differences

   The narrowing gap between rich and poor is a political issue.

   We watched the narrowing path disappear into the forest.

4. 4verbtransitive or intransitive

   Present participle of 'narrow'; making or becoming narrower.

   Grammar: As a verb form, it can take an object (narrowing the list) or not (the road is narrowing).

   Patterns

   • narrowing something down
   • something is narrowing

   She is narrowing her search to three universities.

   The river is narrowing as it flows north.

Word forms

Common combinations

narrowing of the gap

The narrowing of the gap between the two teams made the game exciting.

narrowing down

We are narrowing down the list of candidates.

narrowing range

The narrowing range of choices frustrated customers.

narrowing arteries

Narrowing arteries can lead to serious health problems.

Synonyms and how they differ

constriction

More technical and often suggests a tight squeezing; 'narrowing' is more general.

reduction

Focuses on amount or number rather than width; use 'narrowing' for physical width or scope.

restriction

Suggests a limit imposed by rules; 'narrowing' is about becoming less wide or less general.

Opposites

Word family

narrow adjective

Small in width; limited in range.

narrowly adverb

By a small amount; closely.

narrowness noun

The quality of being narrow.

Commonly confused: narrowing or narrowly?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “narrowing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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