Cool MateNarrow vs Restricted
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Narrow
Top 2,000 (common)A2adjective
Restricted
Top 2,000 (common)
| Narrow | Restricted | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈnærəʊ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈnærəʊ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //rɪˈstrɪktɪd//🇺🇸 //rɪˈstrɪktɪd// |
| Meaning | not wide; thin | Limited or controlled in some way. |
| Example | The alley was too narrow for a car to pass through. | Access to the laboratory is restricted to authorized personnel only. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, look, seem, extremely, fairly, very, be, seem, become, extremely, fairly, very, in, be, seem, become, extremely, fairly, very, in | restricted access, restricted area, restricted information, restricted zone, restricted diet |
| Antonyms | wide, broad, expansive | unrestricted, open, free |
| Common mistakes | 'Narrowly' confused with 'narrow', 'Narrow' used incorrectly as a verb, 'Narrow' used to describe emotional states instead of physical spaces | Confusing 'restricted' with 'restrictive', which has a different meaning., Using 'restrict' instead of 'restricted' when a past participle is needed., Omitting the necessary noun after 'restricted' in a sentence. |
| Usage notes | Use 'narrow' to describe physical dimensions (like roads or paths) or metaphorical contexts (like narrow ideas). Don't use it for things that are wide or spacious. | Use 'restricted' in formal or neutral contexts. Avoid in casual conversations unless discussing specific limitations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Narrow vs Restricted
What's the difference between Narrow and Restricted?
Narrow: not wide; thin Restricted: Limited or controlled in some way.
Can you show an example of each?
Narrow: The alley was too narrow for a car to pass through. Restricted: Access to the laboratory is restricted to authorized personnel only.
Can I use Narrow and Restricted interchangeably?
Not always. Narrow and Restricted are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.