narrowly defined

USAGE SUMMARY

"narrowly defined" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate a limited scope of something. For example, "The product line was narrowly defined, only containing a few budget-friendly items."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The levy is too narrowly defined.

The Guardian

For the spokesmen of Ansar Dine, culture is narrowly defined.

The New York Times

It regulates access to 350 narrowly defined trades.

The Economist

Little mattered but the war on terror, narrowly defined.

The Economist

The Falconer bill has been narrowly defined to increase its chances of success.

The Guardian - Opinion

He said that Obama had "too narrowly defined" efforts to defeat the enemy.

The New Yorker

The jury in Noriega's trial on 10 narrowly defined drug-related counts heard none of this.

The Guardian - Opinion

He is obsessed with turf, with right and wrong narrowly defined, with male codes, male lingo.

The New Yorker

Are they supposed to go from broad horizons and genuinely multicultural identities to narrowly defined ones?

The Guardian - Opinion

Bryant had symbolized that loss of vision, even at the narrowly defined level of the court.

The New York Times

There are certain narrowly defined cases where I could support capital punishment.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "narrowly defined", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being limited and why. Providing specific details will enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "narrowly defined" when the subsequent description or application is still broad or general. This creates a contradiction and confuses the reader. Instead, ensure the parameters remain specific and focused.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "narrowly defined" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating that the noun has specific, limited characteristics or boundaries. As shown in Ludwig, it qualifies a subject or topic to suggest its restriction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "narrowly defined" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that something has specific, limited parameters or boundaries. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently employed across diverse fields like science, news, and formal business settings to emphasize precision and clarity. When using this phrase, it is important to clearly define what is being limited and to ensure the subsequent description aligns with this limited scope. Alternatives such as "strictly delineated" or "specifically limited" can provide similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strictly delineated

Focuses on precise boundaries or limits being set.

specifically limited

Emphasizes the act of restricting something to a particular scope or purpose.

precisely circumscribed

Highlights a carefully drawn boundary or limit.

definitively restricted

Implies a clear and absolute limitation.

rigidly demarcated

Suggests an inflexible and clearly marked boundary.

closely bounded

Focuses on the tight constraints or limits imposed.

tightly constrained

Emphasizes the strong limitations placed on something.

particularly confined

Highlights the act of being restricted to a specific space or area.

uniquely tailored

Emphasizes customization to a specific purpose or use.

expressly stipulated

Highlights conditions or requirements clearly laid out.

FAQs

How can I use "narrowly defined" in a sentence?

Use "narrowly defined" to indicate that something has specific, limited parameters or boundaries. For example, "The study's scope was "narrowly defined" to patients with a specific condition".

What are some alternatives to "narrowly defined"?

Alternatives include "strictly delineated", "specifically limited", or "precisely circumscribed". The best choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "narrowly defined"?

Use "narrowly defined" when you want to emphasize the restricted scope or specific parameters of a topic, concept, or definition. It's useful in contexts where precision and clarity are important.

What's the difference between "narrowly defined" and "broadly defined"?

"Narrowly defined" implies a limited scope with specific parameters, while "broadly defined" suggests a more inclusive scope with general parameters. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize specificity or generality.