4 ADJ If you describe someone's ideas, attitudes, or beliefs as narrow , you disapprove of them because they are restricted in some way, and often ignore the more important aspects of an argument or situation. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a narrow and outdated view of family life. ● nar|row|ly ADV [ADV after v, ADV -ed/adj] □ They're making judgments based on a narrowly focused vision of the world. ● nar|row|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the narrowness of their mental and spiritual outlook.
5 VERB If something narrows or if you narrow it, its extent or range becomes smaller. □ [V ] Most recent opinion polls suggest that the gap between the two main parties has narrowed. □ [V n] Negotiators narrowed their differences over federal spending for anti-drug programs. ● nar|row|ing N‑SING □ [+ of ] …a narrowing of the gap between rich members and poor.
6 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you have a narrow victory, you succeed in winning but only by a small amount. □ Delegates have voted by a narrow majority in favour of considering electoral reform. ● nar|row|ly ADV □ She narrowly failed to win enough votes. ● nar|row|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The narrowness of the government's victory reflected deep division within the Party.
7 ADJ [ADJ n] If you have a narrow escape, something unpleasant nearly happens to you. □ Two police officers had a narrow escape when separatists attacked their vehicles. ● nar|row|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Five firefighters narrowly escaped death when a staircase collapsed beneath their feet.
8 on the straight and narrow → see straight
▸ narrow down PHRASAL VERB If you narrow down a range of things, you reduce the number of things included in it. □ [V P n] What's happened is that the new results narrow down the possibilities. □ [V n P + to ] I've managed to narrow the list down to twenty-three. [Also V n P ] SYNONYMS narrow ADJ 1
thin: A thin cable carries the signal to a computer.
fine: The heat scorched the fine hairs on her arms.
slender: He gazed at her slender neck.
na r|row boat (narrow boats ) also narrowboat N‑COUNT A narrow boat is a long, low boat used on canals. [BRIT ]
nar|row|ly /næ roʊli/
1 ADV [ADV after v] If you look at someone narrowly , you look at them in a concentrated way, often because you think they are not giving you full information about something. □ He grimaced and looked narrowly at his colleague.
2 → see also narrow
na rrow-mi nded ADJ If you describe someone as narrow-minded , you are criticizing them because they are unwilling to consider new ideas or other people's opinions. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a narrow-minded bigot. ● narrow-mindedness N‑UNCOUNT □ It is unbelievable that as a result of this narrow-mindedness a group of people should suffer.
NASA /næ sə/ N‑PROPER NASA is the American government organization concerned with spacecraft and space travel. NASA is an abbreviation for 'National Aeronautics and Space Administration'.
na|sal /ne I z ə l/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Nasal is used to describe things relating to the nose and the functions it performs. □ …inflamed nasal passages. □ …nasal decongestant sprays.
2 ADJ If someone's voice is nasal , it sounds as if air is passing through their nose as well as their mouth while they are speaking. □ She talked in a deep nasal monotone.
nas|cent /ne I s ə nt/ ADJ [ADJ n] Nascent things or processes are just beginning, and are expected to become stronger or to grow bigger. [FORMAL ] □ …Kenya's nascent democracy. □ …the still nascent science of psychology.
na|stur|tium /næstɜː r ʃəm/ (nasturtiums ) N‑COUNT Nasturtiums are low plants with large round leaves and orange, red, and yellow flowers.
nas|ty /nɑː sti, næ sti/ (nastier , nastiest )
1 ADJ Something that is nasty is very unpleasant to see, experience, or feel. □ …an extremely nasty murder. □ Now the dispute seems to have turned nasty. ● nas|ti|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the nastiness of war.
2 ADJ If you describe a person or their behaviour as nasty , you mean that they behave in an unkind and unpleasant way. □ What nasty little snobs you all are. □ The guards looked really nasty. □ She is so nasty to me when my brother isn't here. ● nas|ti|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ She took the money and eyed me nastily. □ Nikki laughed nastily. ● nas|ti|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ As the years went by, his nastiness began to annoy his readers.
3 ADJ If you describe something as nasty , you mean it is unattractive, undesirable, or in bad taste. □ …Emily's nasty little house in Balham. □ That damned Farrel made some nasty jokes here about Mr. Lane.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A nasty problem or situation is very worrying and difficult to deal with. □ A spokesman said this firm action had defused a very nasty situation.
5 ADJ If you describe an injury or a disease as nasty , you mean that it is serious or looks unpleasant. □ Lili had a nasty chest infection.
natch /næ tʃ/ ADV Natch is used to indicate that a particular fact or event is what you would expect and not at all surprising. [mainly JOURNALISM , INFORMAL ] □ Ina is a bad girl so, natch, ends up in prison.
na|tion ◆◆◆ /ne I ʃ ə n/ (nations )