arrow

IPA/ˈærəʊ/
KK[ˈæro]IPA/ˈærəʊ/

arrow — noun

  • arrowsingular
  • arrowsplural

1. a straight, thin weapon that has a pointed head on the front and fins on the bac

1.nounA2
Definition

a straight, thin weapon that has a pointed head on the front and fins on the back, launched when an archer pulls the bowstring and lets go, used for hunting, archery competitions, and warfare.

Example

The hunter pulled back the bowstring and released the arrow toward the deer.

collocation: release an arrow / shoot an arrow

A wooden arrow with blue feathers stuck out of the target at the archery range.

collocation: arrow + target / archery range

Common collocations
  • shoot an arrow
  • fire an arrow
  • release an arrow
  • aim an arrow
  • arrow hits
  • arrow misses
  • bow and arrow
  • quiver of arrows
  • tip of the arrow
Synonyms
  • bolt

    a short, thick arrow shot from a crossbow, heavier than a regular arrow

  • dart

    a small, light projectile thrown by hand rather than shot from a bow

  • projectile

    a broad term covering anything thrown or fired through the air, including bullets and rocks

Usage Note

Often used in the fixed phrase 'bow and arrow' to describe archery equipment as a set. The plural form 'arrows' is common when referring to ammunition carried by an archer or soldier.

Common Mistakes

She shot a bow at the target.' (when referring to the projectile)
She shot an arrow at the target.
'bow' is the weapon that launches the arrow, not the projectile itself.

2. a graphic mark formed by a line ending in a V-shaped point, used on signs, maps,

2.nounA2
Definition

a graphic mark formed by a line ending in a V-shaped point, used on signs, maps, and screens to indicate direction or position.

Example

Follow the red arrow on the wall to find the emergency exit.

imperative: follow the arrow

On the map, a large arrow shows the quickest route to the train station.

Common collocations
  • arrow points
  • arrow indicates
  • follow the arrow
  • arrow on the map
  • arrow on the screen
  • arrow on the sign
  • arrow shows
  • painted arrow
  • direction arrow
Synonyms
  • pointer

    a more general term for anything that indicates direction, including a cursor on a screen or a hand on a dial

  • marker

    a sign or symbol used to show a position or path, broader than an arrow shape

  • indicator

    a device or symbol that gives information, often found on dashboards or control panels

Usage Note

Common in instructional contexts such as manuals, road signs, and software interfaces. The arrow symbol is often combined with a noun describing its location ('arrow on the screen', 'arrow on the sign').

Word family

  • archer
    nounB1
  • archery
    nounB1
  • arrowhead
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three words refer to objects that are thrown or shot through the air, but they differ in construction and use. An arrow is a long, lightweight projectile designed to be shot from a bow using a bowstring; it typically has a pointed tip, a wooden or carbon shaft, and feathers or plastic vanes at the rear. A bolt is a shorter, thicker projectile fired from a crossbow — it travels with greater force but over a shorter distance than an arrow. A dart is smaller and lighter, thrown by hand rather than launched from a string; it is commonly used in pub games (darts) or as a short-range weapon. 'Projectile' is the broadest category and covers any object propelled through the air, including bullets, stones, and rockets. For example, an archer at a medieval castle would shoot arrows at distant enemies, a guard on the wall might fire a bolt from a crossbow at closer attackers, and a soldier could throw a dart during hand-to-hand fighting — all three are projectiles, but each serves a different tactical purpose.

bolt ↗dart ↗projectile ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • bow and arrow

Prepositions

Etymology

GermanicOld EnglishEnglish

The word 'arrow' comes from Old English 'arwe' (or 'earh'), which developed from a Germanic root meaning 'that which belongs to a bow'. This root is related to the Latin 'arcus' (bow), which also gave English the words 'arc', 'archer', and 'archery'. The core meaning has remained remarkably stable for well over a thousand years.

First known use

12th century

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Verb