1 B1 idiomatic neutral
To reduce a large number of possibilities, options, or candidates to a smaller group.
"We've narrowed down the applicants to a shortlist of five."
separable
narrow down
B1 neutral separable transitive
To reduce a list of options, suspects, or possibilities to a smaller, more manageable set.
In plain English
To make a big list of choices smaller by getting rid of the ones you don't want.
What does "narrow down" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To identify a more precise cause, location, or explanation by eliminating other possibilities.
"Police have narrowed down the time of the incident to between 9 and 11 p.m."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To make something physically narrower or less wide — the idiomatic leap is from physical width to the breadth of possibilities.
Actually means
To make a big list of choices smaller by getting rid of the ones you don't want.
Usage tip
Very common in decision-making, investigation, and research contexts. Frequently followed by 'to': 'we've narrowed it down to three candidates'. Works well in both formal and informal settings.
Words that pair with "narrow down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
options choices candidates list suspects search
How to conjugate "narrow down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
narrow down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
narrows down
he/she/it
Past simple
narrowed down
yesterday
Past participle
narrowed down
have + pp
-ing form
narrowing down
continuous
Hear "narrow down" in the wild
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Other ways to say "narrow down"
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