narrowly

Narrowly is an English adverb formed from the adjective narrow plus the standard adverbial suffix -ly. It describes actions or outcomes that occur with only a small margin, degree, or extent, often implying proximity to a limit or near-miss rather than simply describing width or manner. The term signals that a threshold was almost reached or a result was achieved by a slim margin.

Etymology and grammar: The word combines narrow with -ly to produce an adverb that belongs to the class of manner adverbs. It typically modifies verbs, adjectives, or participles and is used to convey precision in degree, time, or distance rather than the quality of an action. It appears in clauses describing results, focus, or tailoring, among other contexts.

Usage and nuance: In common usage, narrowly is associated with outcomes decided by a small margin: "The team narrowly won the game," or "She narrowly escaped harm." It can also modify adjectives or participles, as in "a narrowly focused approach" or "a narrowly tailored policy." While similar to barely, narrowly emphasizes proximity to a limit or threshold rather than a simple insufficiency.

Examples: The voters narrowly approved the measure. The project narrowly missed the deadline. The defense narrowly avoided a penalty. The investigation yielded a narrowly defined scope, concentrating on a specific issue rather than broad inquiries.

See also: barely; by a narrow margin; near miss.