Broad vs. Narrow: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
'Broad' describes something wide in extent or scope, while 'Narrow' refers to something of limited width or scope.
Key Differences
Broad refers to something wide in extent, scope, or range. It can describe physical dimensions or metaphorically imply inclusiveness or generality. Narrow, in contrast, denotes something of limited width or restricted in scope, often suggesting confinement or limitation.
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In terms of physical dimensions, broad describes a wide space or object, like a broad avenue. Narrow, however, is used for spaces or objects that are constricted in width, like a narrow alleyway. This physical distinction highlights the difference in spatial characteristics.
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When considering scope or perspective, a broad approach encompasses a wide range of aspects or ideas, while a narrow approach focuses on a specific or limited aspect. This usage reflects the versatility of both terms beyond physical dimensions.
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Broad can also mean general or lacking in specificity, such as a broad statement. Conversely, narrow often implies specificity or detailed focus, as in narrow research. Thus, both terms are essential in conveying the extent or specificity of subjects or concepts.
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Comparison Chart
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Scope or Perspective
Inclusive, covering a wide range
Focused, limited in scope
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Broad and Narrow Definitions
Broad
General and not detailed.
She gave a broad overview of the company's history.
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Narrow
Limited in scope or range.
His expertise is narrow, focusing solely on medieval literature.
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Broad
Inclusive or encompassing a wide range.
His interests are broad, covering both science and arts.
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Broad
Clear and open; not secretive.
He was known for his broad, honest smile.
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Broad
Relating to or covering the main facts or the essential points
A plan presented in broad outline.
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Narrow
A body of water with little width that connects two larger bodies of water.
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Broad
(Linguistics) Pronounced with the tongue placed low and flat and with the oral cavity wide open, like the a in father.
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Narrow
Having a small width; not wide; having opposite edges or sides that are close, especially by comparison to length or depth.
A narrow hallway
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Narrow
(figuratively) Restrictive; without flexibility or latitude.
A narrow interpretation
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Narrow
Having a small margin or degree.
A narrow escape
The Republicans won by a narrow majority.
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Broad
Having a large measure of any thing or quality; unlimited; unrestrained.
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Narrow
(phonetics) Formed (as a vowel) by a close position of some part of the tongue in relation to the palate; or (according to Bell) by a tense condition of the pharynx; distinguished from wide.
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Narrow
A narrow passage, especially a contracted part of a stream, lake, or sea; a strait connecting two bodies of water.
The narrows of New York harbor
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Narrow
(transitive) To reduce in width or extent; to contract.
We need to narrow the search.
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Broad
(dated) Gross; coarse; indelicate.
A broad compliment; a broad joke; broad humour
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Narrow
(of a person or eyes) To partially lower one's eyelids in a way usually taken to suggest a defensive, aggressive or penetrating look.
He stepped in front of me, narrowing his eyes to slits.
She wagged her finger in his face, and her eyes narrowed.
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Broad
(of an accent) Strongly regional.
She still has a broad Scottish accent, despite moving to California 20 years ago.
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Narrow
(knitting) To contract the size of, as a stocking, by taking two stitches into one.
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Narrow
To convert to a data type that cannot hold as many distinct values.
To narrow an
int variable to a short variableShumaila Saeed
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Broad
(UK) A shallow lake, one of a number of bodies of water in eastern Norfolk and Suffolk.
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Narrow
Of little breadth; not wide or broad; having little distance from side to side; as, a narrow board; a narrow street; a narrow hem.
Hath passed in safety through the narrow seas.
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Narrow
Of little extent; very limited; circumscribed.
The Jews were but a small nation, and confined to a narrow compass in the world.
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Broad
A British gold coin worth 20 shillings, issued by the Commonwealth of England in 1656.
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Narrow
Having but a little margin; having barely sufficient space, time, or number, etc.; close; near{5}; - with special reference to some peril or misfortune; as, a narrow shot; a narrow escape; a narrow miss; a narrow majority.
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Narrow
Limited as to means; straitened; pinching; as, narrow circumstances.
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Narrow
Contracted; of limited scope; illiberal; bigoted; as, a narrow mind; narrow views.
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Narrow
Parsimonious; niggardly; covetous; selfish.
A very narrow and stinted charity.
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Narrow
Scrutinizing in detail; close; accurate; exact.
But first with narrow search I must walk roundThis garden, and no corner leave unspied.
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Broad
Wide; extend in breadth, or from side to side; - opposed to narrow; as, a broad street, a broad table; an inch broad.
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Narrow
Formed (as a vowel) by a close position of some part of the tongue in relation to the palate; or (according to Bell) by a tense condition of the pharynx; - distinguished from wide; as ē (ēve) and Ō (fŌd), etc., from ĭ (ĭll) and Ŏ (fŎt), etc. See Guide to Pronunciation, 13.
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Broad
Extending far and wide; extensive; vast; as, the broad expanse of ocean.
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Narrow
A narrow passage; esp., a contracted part of a stream, lake, or sea; a strait connecting two bodies of water; - usually in the plural; as, The Narrows of New York harbor.
Near the island lay on one side the jaws of a dangerousnarrow.
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Narrow
To lessen the breadth of; to contract; to draw into a smaller compass; to reduce the width or extent of.
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Broad
Fig.: Having a large measure of any thing or quality; not limited; not restrained; - applied to any subject, and retaining the literal idea more or less clearly, the precise meaning depending largely on the substantive.
A broad mixture of falsehood.
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Narrow
To contract the reach or sphere of; to make less liberal or more selfish; to limit; to confine; to restrict; as, to narrow one's views or knowledge; to narrow a question in discussion.
Our knowledge is much more narrowed if we confine ourselves to our own solitary reasonings.
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Broad
Comprehensive; liberal; enlarged.
The words in the Constitution are broad enough to include the case.
In a broad, statesmanlike, and masterly way.
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Narrow
To contract the size of, as a stocking, by taking two stitches into one.
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Narrow
To become less broad; to contract; to become narrower; as, the sea narrows into a strait.
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Broad
Free; unrestrained; unconfined.
As broad and general as the casing air.
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Narrow
Not to step out enough to the one hand or the other; as, a horse narrows.
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Narrow
To contract the size of a stocking or other knit article, by taking two stitches into one.
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Broad
Cross; coarse; indelicate; as, a broad compliment; a broad joke; broad humor.
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Broad
Strongly marked; as, a broad Scotch accent.
It is as broad as long, whether they rise to others, or bring others down to them.
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Narrow
Make or become more narrow or restricted;
The selection was narrowed
The road narrowed
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Broad
A woman, especially one who is sexually promiscuous; - usually considered offensive.
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Broad
Having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other;
Wide roads
A wide necktie
Wide margins
Three feet wide
A river two miles broad
Broad shoulders
A broad river
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Narrow
Lacking tolerance or flexibility or breadth of view;
A brilliant but narrow-minded judge
Narrow opinions
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Broad
Broad in scope or content;
Across-the-board pay increases
An all-embracing definition
Blanket sanctions against human-rights violators
An invention with broad applications
A panoptic study of Soviet nationality
Granted him wide powers
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Broad
Not detailed or specific;
A broad rule
The broad outlines of the plan
Felt an unspecific dread
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Narrow
Characterized by painstaking care and detailed examination;
A minute inspection of the grounds
A narrow scrutiny
An exact and minute report
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Broad
Lacking subtlety; obvious;
Gave us a broad hint that it was time to leave
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Narrow
Limited in width or extent.
The narrow street was barely wide enough for a car.
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Narrow
Precise or strictly defined.
The scientist made a narrow observation in her experiment.
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Broad
Very large in expanse or scope;
A broad lawn
The wide plains
A spacious view
Spacious skies
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Narrow
Narrow-minded; lacking in tolerance or breadth of view.
His narrow views on education were often criticized.
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Narrow
Close or near in margin or difference.
She won the race by a narrow margin.
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Broad
Showing or characterized by broad-mindedness;
A broad political stance
Generous and broad sympathies
A liberal newspaper
Tolerant of his opponent's opinions
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Broad
Broad-minded; tolerant or liberal.
Her broad perspective on social issues was well-respected.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What does narrow mean?
Narrow refers to something of limited width or scope.
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What is a narrow escape?
A narrow escape is avoiding danger or failure by a small margin.
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Does broad apply to physical objects only?
No, it can describe concepts, such as a broad range of topics.
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How do broad and narrow apply in geography?
Broad might describe a wide river, while narrow could describe a thin strait.
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Can a person's thinking be described as broad?
Yes, implying they are open-minded or consider many perspectives.
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Can broad be used metaphorically?
Yes, it can imply inclusiveness or a general approach.
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Can a road be both broad and narrow?
Different parts of a road can be broad or narrow, but not simultaneously.
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Can narrow be positive?
Yes, as in having a narrow focus for detailed study.
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How does broad apply in communication?
Broad communication can mean conveying general, not specific, information.
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Is narrow always negative?
Not always; it can simply mean focused or specific.
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What's a broad spectrum?
A broad spectrum covers a wide range of elements or ideas.
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What's a synonym for narrow?
Constricted, limited, and specific are synonyms for narrow.
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Is narrow-mindedness associated with intolerance?
Yes, it typically implies a lack of openness or tolerance.
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Can narrow be used in a positive way in academics?
Yes, as in having a narrow and deep expertise in a subject.
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Does broadening one's horizons mean becoming more open-minded?
Yes, it means expanding one's experiences or knowledge, becoming more open-minded.
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Does broad have a synonym?
Wide, expansive, and general are synonyms for broad.
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Is a broad approach suitable for detailed analysis?
A broad approach may overlook specifics, so it's less suitable for detailed analysis.
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Nov 17, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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