narrowness
/ˈnærəʊnəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈnærəʊnəs/ (ame, ipa)
narrowness — noun
1. the property of measuring only a short distance across, especially when this sho
the property of measuring only a short distance across, especially when this short measurement is striking compared with how long the same thing is.
The narrowness of the alley behind Sahil's bakery meant only one car could pass at a time.
the narrowness of [physical object]
Eve complained about the narrowness of the airplane seats on her flight to Tokyo.
the narrowness of [object] noun phrase
Engineers had to redesign the bridge because of the narrowness of the river channel.
Tomás was surprised by the narrowness of the old Lisbon streets during his morning walk.
文法句型
the narrowness of [object]
用法筆記
Subject is usually a physical thing with measurable width — roads, corridors, rivers, garments, seats, doorways. Almost always preceded by 'the' and followed by 'of'.
常見錯誤
2. the quality of covering only a small range of interests, activities, or topics,
the quality of covering only a small range of interests, activities, or topics, especially when a wider range would be more useful or fair.
Critics pointed to the narrowness of the school curriculum, which left out art and music.
the narrowness of [scope noun]
Layla worried about the narrowness of her research focus, which covered only one tiny region of Peru.
The narrowness of the company's product line made it hard to compete with bigger brands.
Reviewers noted the narrowness of subjects in Greta's first novel, all set inside the same small village.
- limitation
broader; can also mean a weakness or boundary in general
- restriction
implies an outside rule causing the limit, not an inherent quality
- breadth
common opposite when talking about scope of knowledge or interests
文法句型
the narrowness of [scope / focus / range]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 4: this sense names a limited *range* (curriculum, focus, product line) — neutral or mildly critical. Sense 4 names a limited *attitude toward other people's ideas* and is strongly negative.
3. the fact that a win, loss, or escape happens by only a tiny amount, so the outco
the fact that a win, loss, or escape happens by only a tiny amount, so the outcome could very easily have gone the other way.
Reporters wrote about the narrowness of the mayor's victory — just 42 votes ahead.
the narrowness of [victory / defeat]
Hyun could not stop thinking about the narrowness of her team's defeat in the final.
The narrowness of Eli's escape from the burning kitchen left his hands shaking for hours.
Given the narrowness of the goal difference, the referee checked the replay before the final whistle.
- decisiveness
used when a victory is large and unquestionable
文法句型
the narrowness of [a victory / defeat / escape / margin]
用法筆記
Object must be something measured by a small numerical or situational margin — votes, points, seconds, distance from disaster. Often signals 'lucky' or 'unlucky' framing depending on whether the result was wanted.
4. the quality of refusing to listen to or accept ideas, opinions, or ways of life
the quality of refusing to listen to or accept ideas, opinions, or ways of life that are different from one's own.
Nkechi grew tired of the narrowness of her uncle's views on women working outside the home.
the narrowness of [someone's views]
The professor warned students against the narrowness of judging other cultures by their own standards.
Bilal left the company partly because of the narrowness of its leadership, who refused all new ideas.
Looking back, Christopher felt embarrassed by the narrowness of his thinking as a teenager.
- intolerance
stronger; suggests active hostility, not just refusal to consider
- bigotry
very strong; tied to prejudice against specific groups
- parochialism
formal; suggests interests limited to one's own small community
- open-mindedness
everyday opposite
- tolerance
willingness to accept different beliefs or behaviours
文法句型
the narrowness of [someone's mind / outlook / views]
用法筆記
Strongly negative; almost always paired with 'mind', 'outlook', 'views', 'thinking', or 'vision'. Distinguish from sense 2: that sense names a limited *range of topics* (often a structural fact); this sense names a limited *willingness to consider others' ideas* (a personal failing).