Narrow vs. Slim: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on September 25, 2023
"Narrow" refers to something that has little width in relation to its length or height, often limiting movement or capacity, while "slim" refers to something slender in a graceful or stylish way, often relating to elegance. The difference is in context; n
Key Differences
"Narrow" is an adjective that describes an object, space, or concept that is limited in width relative to its length or height. It's a term often used to describe confined spaces, roads, or objects, implying a sense of restriction or limitation. For instance, a narrow alley may limit movement, or a narrow mindset may limit understanding and perspective. It reflects constraints and denotes that something is less wide than usual or expected. It is not typically used to describe human or animal bodies.
On the other hand, "slim" generally refers to a thin, slender appearance in an elegant or aesthetically pleasing manner. It’s most commonly used to describe the physical attributes of living beings, indicating a lean or slender physique, usually perceived as graceful or stylish. For example, a person with a slim figure is seen as having a narrow waist and little body fat. It carries a positive connotation and often reflects elegance and a pleasing form. Unlike narrow, slim is less about limitations and more about a refined, graceful appearance.
The application of "narrow" typically goes beyond physical objects to conceptual ones, denoting limitation or confinement. A person can have a narrow viewpoint, meaning their understanding or acceptance of different perspectives is limited. It reflects a sense of constraint and is not confined to describing physical entities but also abstract concepts, indicating a lack of breadth or expansiveness in understanding, acceptance, or scope.
Conversely, "slim" predominantly focuses on physical attributes, describing a slender, lean form or figure, usually in a positive light. It is less about confinement and more about a pleasing, graceful appearance, mainly pertaining to bodies but can also describe objects like a slim book or a slim phone, emphasizing sleekness and elegance. It does not usually describe abstract concepts like opinions or perspectives.
In essence, while "narrow" portrays a sense of limitation or confinement in width, often applied to spaces, objects, and abstract concepts, "slim" paints a picture of slender elegance and graceful thinness, primarily associated with living beings. The context of usage and connotations of these terms differentiate them; narrow denotes restriction, whereas slim signifies an aesthetically pleasing slender form.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Limited in width relative to length or height.
Slender in an elegant or graceful manner.
Connotation
Implies limitation or restriction.
Implies elegance and aesthetic pleasing slender form.
Application
Applies to objects, spaces, and abstract concepts.
Predominantly describes physical attributes of beings/objects.
Limitation
Conveys a sense of confinement or restricted space.
Does not convey restriction or confinement.
Perception
Seen as less wide than usual or expected.
Seen as thin, lean, and often graceful.
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Narrow and Slim Definitions
Narrow
Limited in extent, amount, or scope.
The pathway was so narrow that they had to walk in a single file.
Slim
Small in quantity or amount.
There's only a slim chance of rain today.
Narrow
Limited in outlook or ideas.
His narrow viewpoint hindered meaningful conversation.
Slim
Insufficient; meager.
We have slim resources to complete the project.
Narrow
Barely achieved; close.
They won the game by a narrow margin.
Slim
Gracefully thin; slender.
She has a slim figure.
Narrow
Of small or limited width, especially in comparison with length.
Slim
Small in degree or extent.
The team has a slim lead in the game.
Narrow
Limited in area or scope; cramped.
Slim
Small in girth or thickness in proportion to height or length; slender.
Narrow
Lacking flexibility; rigid
Narrow opinions.
Slim
Small in quantity or amount; meager
Slim chances of success.
Narrow
Barely sufficient; close
A narrow margin of victory.
Slim
To become or make slim.
Narrow
Painstakingly thorough or attentive; meticulous
Narrow scrutiny.
Slim
To lose or cause to lose weight, as by dieting or exercise.
Narrow
(Linguistics) Tense.
Slim
Slender, thin.
Narrow
To reduce in width or extent; make narrower.
Slim
(of a person or a person's build) Slender in an attractive way.
Movie stars are usually slim, attractive, and young.
Narrow
To limit or restrict
Narrowed the possibilities down to three.
Slim
Designed to make the wearer appear slim.
Narrow
To become narrower; contract.
Slim
(of an object) Long and narrow.
Narrow
A part of little width, as a pass through mountains.
Slim
(of a workforce) Of a reduced size, with the intent of being more efficient.
Narrow
A body of water with little width that connects two larger bodies of water.
Slim
(of something abstract like a chance or margin) Very small, tiny.
I'm afraid your chances are quite slim.
Narrow
A part of a river or an ocean current that is not wide.
Slim
Bad, of questionable quality; not strongly built, flimsy.
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
Sly, crafty.
Narrow
Of little extent; very limited; circumscribed.
Slim
A type of cigarette substantially longer and thinner than normal cigarettes.
I only smoke slims.
Narrow
(figuratively) Restrictive; without flexibility or latitude.
A narrow interpretation
Slim
A potato farl.
Narrow
Contracted; of limited scope; bigoted
A narrow mind
Narrow views
Slim
AIDS, or the chronic wasting associated with its later stages.
Narrow
Having a small margin or degree.
A narrow escape
The Republicans won by a narrow majority.
Slim
Cocaine.
Narrow
(dated) Limited as to means; straitened
Narrow circumstances
Slim
(intransitive) To lose weight in order to achieve slimness.
Narrow
Parsimonious; niggardly; covetous; selfish.
Slim
(transitive) To make slimmer; to reduce in size.
Narrow
Scrutinizing in detail; close; accurate; exact.
Slim
Worthless; bad.
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
Weak; slight; unsubstantial; poor; as, a slim argument.
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
Of small diameter or thickness in proportion to the height or length; slender; as, a slim person; a slim tree.
Narrow
(transitive) To reduce in width or extent; to contract.
We need to narrow the search.
Slim
Take off weight
Narrow
(intransitive) To get narrower.
The road narrows.
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
(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
Small in quantity;
Slender wages
A slim chance of winning
A small surplus
Narrow
(knitting) To contract the size of, as a stocking, by taking two stitches into one.
Slim
Of small width or thickness.
I prefer using a slim pen for writing.
Narrow
To convert to a data type that cannot hold as many distinct values.
To narrow an
int variable to a short variableNarrow
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.
Narrow
Of little extent; very limited; circumscribed.
The Jews were but a small nation, and confined to a narrow compass in the world.
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.
Narrow
Limited as to means; straitened; pinching; as, narrow circumstances.
Narrow
Contracted; of limited scope; illiberal; bigoted; as, a narrow mind; narrow views.
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; having little width in relation to length.
The narrow bridge could only accommodate one car at a time.
Narrow
Precisely defined or limited.
The search was narrowed down to three candidates.
FAQs
Does slim always refer to body shape?
No, it can describe any object or chance that is small in degree or amount.
Can slim be used to describe a margin or difference?
Yes, a "slim margin" or "slim difference" means a small or slight margin or difference.
Can narrow refer to a close result in competitions?
Yes, a "narrow win" or "narrow defeat" denotes a result achieved by a small margin.
Can slim imply elegance and grace?
Yes, it often carries a connotation of graceful and aesthetically pleasing slenderness.
Can objects like phones be described as slim?
Absolutely, describing objects as slim emphasizes their thinness and sleekness.
Can narrow describe a range of options?
Yes, it can describe anything limited in extent, amount, or scope.
Does a narrow space always limit movement?
Often, it denotes restriction or limited width, affecting movement or capacity.
Is narrow always a negative description?
No, it is neutral and depends on the context; it can be negative when describing limited viewpoints.
Can a narrow perspective be broadened?
Yes, exposure to diverse viewpoints and information can broaden a narrow perspective.
Is slim synonymous with thin?
They are similar, but slim often conveys an element of grace or elegance, which thin may not.
Can both narrow and slim describe quantities and amounts?
Yes, narrow choices imply limited options, and slim resources indicate a small amount of resources.
Is the term narrow subjective or objective?
It can be both, depending on whether it's describing a measurable space or a conceptual limitation.
Does slim always carry a positive connotation?
Mostly, but it can be neutral when describing the small amount, degree, or likelihood.
Can narrow be used metaphorically?
Yes, it can metaphorically describe limited scope, outlook, or understanding.
Can slim refer to the probability or likelihood of events?
Yes, a "slim chance" means there is a small likelihood of a particular outcome.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
