Narrow vs. Slim — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 17, 2023
Narrow refers to limited width or scope. Slim describes thinness, often in a positive manner.
Difference Between Narrow and Slim
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Narrow often denotes something that is not wide, perhaps constricting or limited in space. Roads, rivers, or hallways can be narrow. On the contrary, Slim typically pertains to a slender or thin appearance, especially in terms of body shapes or objects.
In many contexts, Narrow carries a neutral or potentially negative connotation, suggesting restriction. For example, a narrow mindset limits one's perspectives. Slim, on the other hand, often has a positive connotation in society, especially when referring to a person's physique or chances of something happening.
When thinking about measurements, Narrow focuses primarily on the width of an object or space, indicating that it might be less than usual or desired. Slim, meanwhile, focuses on the thinness or the lack of bulk, suggesting a lean or minimalistic aspect.
If you're describing a range or scope, Narrow indicates a more limited range, such as a narrow spectrum of colors. Slim, in non-physical contexts, can be used to describe minimal chances, like slim odds.
In clothing, Narrow may refer to the cut or fit being tight, possibly uncomfortable. Slim-fitting clothes, though, are designed to fit close to the body, often seen as stylish and flattering.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
Not wide or broad.
Thin, especially in a graceful or attractive way.
Connotation
Neutral or negative (restrictive).
Generally positive (e.g., stylish or fit).
Application
Describes width or scope.
Describes thinness or lack of bulk.
Usage Example
Narrow streets, narrow view.
Slim figure, slim chance.
Non-Physical Reference
Limited range or perspective.
Minimal odds or likelihood.
Compare with Definitions
Narrow
Limited in extent or scope.
His expertise is in a very narrow field.
Slim
Thin in an attractive or graceful way.
She has a slim figure.
Narrow
To decrease in width or breadth.
The road narrows ahead.
Slim
Small in amount or degree.
There's only a slim chance of rain today.
Narrow
To limit or restrict.
She narrowed down her choices to three.
Slim
To reduce or decrease.
The company slimmed its expenses.
Narrow
Of small or limited width, especially in comparison with length.
Slim
(of a person or their build) gracefully thin; slender
Her slim figure
The girls were tall and slim
Narrow
Limited in area or scope; cramped.
Slim
(of something abstract, especially a chance or margin) very small
There was just a slim chance of success
A slim majority of sixteen
Narrow
Lacking flexibility; rigid
Narrow opinions.
Slim
Crafty, sly, or unscrupulous.
Narrow
Barely sufficient; close
A narrow margin of victory.
Slim
Make oneself thinner, especially by dieting
If he's overweight, he should slim
Narrow
Painstakingly thorough or attentive; meticulous
Narrow scrutiny.
Slim
A course or period of slimming
A sponsored slim
Narrow
(Linguistics) Tense.
Slim
A term used in parts of Africa to refer to AIDS.
Narrow
To reduce in width or extent; make narrower.
Slim
Small in girth or thickness in proportion to height or length; slender.
Narrow
To limit or restrict
Narrowed the possibilities down to three.
Slim
Small in quantity or amount; meager
Slim chances of success.
Narrow
To become narrower; contract.
Slim
To become or make slim.
Narrow
A part of little width, as a pass through mountains.
Slim
To lose or cause to lose weight, as by dieting or exercise.
Narrow
A body of water with little width that connects two larger bodies of water.
Slim
Slender, thin.
Narrow
A part of a river or an ocean current that is not wide.
Slim
(of a person or a person's build) Slender in an attractive way.
Movie stars are usually slim, attractive, and young.
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
Slim
Designed to make the wearer appear slim.
Narrow
Of little extent; very limited; circumscribed.
Slim
(of an object) Long and narrow.
Narrow
(figuratively) Restrictive; without flexibility or latitude.
A narrow interpretation
Slim
(of a workforce) Of a reduced size, with the intent of being more efficient.
Narrow
Contracted; of limited scope; bigoted
A narrow mind
Narrow views
Slim
(of something abstract like a chance or margin) Very small, tiny.
I'm afraid your chances are quite slim.
Narrow
Having a small margin or degree.
A narrow escape
The Republicans won by a narrow majority.
Slim
Bad, of questionable quality; not strongly built, flimsy.
Narrow
(dated) Limited as to means; straitened
Narrow circumstances
Slim
Sly, crafty.
Narrow
Parsimonious; niggardly; covetous; selfish.
Slim
A type of cigarette substantially longer and thinner than normal cigarettes.
I only smoke slims.
Narrow
Scrutinizing in detail; close; accurate; exact.
Slim
A potato farl.
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.
Slim
AIDS, or the chronic wasting associated with its later stages.
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
Slim
Cocaine.
Narrow
(transitive) To reduce in width or extent; to contract.
We need to narrow the search.
Slim
(intransitive) To lose weight in order to achieve slimness.
Narrow
(intransitive) To get narrower.
The road narrows.
Slim
(transitive) To make slimmer; to reduce in size.
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.
Slim
Worthless; bad.
Narrow
(knitting) To contract the size of, as a stocking, by taking two stitches into one.
Slim
Weak; slight; unsubstantial; poor; as, a slim argument.
Narrow
To convert to a data type that cannot hold as many distinct values.
To narrow an
int variable to a short variableSlim
Of small diameter or thickness in proportion to the height or length; slender; as, a slim person; a slim tree.
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.
Slim
Take off weight
Narrow
Of little extent; very limited; circumscribed.
The Jews were but a small nation, and confined to a narrow compass in the world.
Slim
Being of delicate or slender build;
She was slender as a willow shoot is slender
A slim girl with straight blonde hair
Watched her slight figure cross the street
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.
Slim
Small in quantity;
Slender wages
A slim chance of winning
A small surplus
Narrow
Limited as to means; straitened; pinching; as, narrow circumstances.
Slim
Insufficient or less than is needed.
The team had slim resources but still succeeded.
Narrow
Contracted; of limited scope; illiberal; bigoted; as, a narrow mind; narrow views.
Slim
To make or become slender.
He decided to slim down for the summer.
Narrow
Parsimonious; niggardly; covetous; selfish.
A very narrow and stinted charity.
Narrow
Scrutinizing in detail; close; accurate; exact.
But first with narrow search I must walk roundThis garden, and no corner leave unspied.
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.
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.
Narrow
To lessen the breadth of; to contract; to draw into a smaller compass; to reduce the width or extent of.
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.
Narrow
To contract the size of, as a stocking, by taking two stitches into one.
Narrow
To become less broad; to contract; to become narrower; as, the sea narrows into a strait.
Narrow
Not to step out enough to the one hand or the other; as, a horse narrows.
Narrow
To contract the size of a stocking or other knit article, by taking two stitches into one.
Narrow
A narrow strait connecting two bodies of water
Narrow
Make or become more narrow or restricted;
The selection was narrowed
The road narrowed
Narrow
Define clearly;
I cannot narrow down the rules for this game
Narrow
Become more special;
We specialize in dried flowers
Narrow
Become tight or as if tight;
Her throat constricted
Narrow
Not wide;
A narrow bridge
A narrow line across the page
Narrow
Limited in size or scope;
The narrow sense of a word
Narrow
Lacking tolerance or flexibility or breadth of view;
A brilliant but narrow-minded judge
Narrow opinions
Narrow
Very limited in degree;
Won by a narrow margin
A narrow escape
Narrow
Characterized by painstaking care and detailed examination;
A minute inspection of the grounds
A narrow scrutiny
An exact and minute report
Narrow
Not wide.
The bridge was too narrow for large vehicles.
Narrow
Barely successful or adequate.
They won by a narrow margin.
Common Curiosities
Can both narrow and slim refer to physical attributes?
Yes, narrow can describe width, while slim refers to thinness or leanness.
Is a slim-fit shirt the same as a narrow-fit shirt?
Not necessarily. Slim-fit often denotes style and fit, while narrow may imply tightness or lack of width.
Is narrow always a negative term?
No, narrow can be neutral, but in some contexts, it may suggest limitations.
Can slim be used to describe profits?
Yes, "slim profits" would mean a small amount or margin of profit.
Can you use narrow and slim interchangeably?
Not always, as they have different connotations and primary meanings.
What does it mean to have a narrow mindset?
It suggests a limited or restricted way of thinking, lacking openness to new ideas.
How is slim used in the context of electronics?
Slim often describes devices that are thin and sleek in design.
What does "narrow down" mean?
It means to reduce the number of options or possibilities.
What does it mean when chances are described as slim?
Slim chances indicate that there's a very low likelihood of something occurring.
Is narrow only used for physical spaces?
No, it can also describe scopes, ranges, or even perspectives.
In what context might someone use the phrase "narrow escape"?
It means barely avoiding danger or an unfavorable outcome.
Is slimming a term for losing weight?
Yes, slimming often refers to the process of becoming thinner or losing weight.
Can a river be described as slim?
Typically, rivers would be described as narrow, not slim, as slim relates to thinness, not width.
Can one slim down a list?
Yes, slimming down a list means reducing its length or number of items.
Can a book be slim?
Yes, a book can be slim, indicating it's not very thick.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
