Arrow — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈer-(ˌ)ō/ ar·row

Meaning & Definition of Arrow

Arrow (noun)

  1. a missile shot from a bow and usually having a slender shaft, a pointed head, and feathers at the butt
  2. something shaped like an arrow; especially, a mark (as on a map or signboard) to indicate direction
  3. a painful or damaging experience or occurrence that is likened to being shot with an arrow

Arrow (verb)

  1. to move fast and straight like an arrow in flight
  2. to hit or throw (something) toward a target fast and straight like an arrow
  3. to shoot (an animal) with an arrow

Arrow (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in beeline

    similar: beeline, catch up, fast-forward, outpace, outrun, outstrip, overtake, accelerate, quicken, step out, gallop, jog, sprint, stampede, streak, whiz, beetle, dart, flit, scamper, scud, scuffle, barrel, belt, blast, blaze, blow, bolt, bomb (slang), bowl, breeze, bundle, bustle, buzz, cannonball, careen, career, chase, course, crack (on), dash, drive, fly, hare, hasten, hie, highball, hotfoot (it), hump, hurl, hurry, hurtle, hustle, jet, jump, motor, nip, pelt, race, ram, rip, rocket, run, rush, rustle, scoot, scurry, scuttle, shoot, speed, step, tear, travel, trot, whirl, whisk, zip, zoom
    opposite: crawl, creep, poke, dally, dawdle, dillydally, drag, hang (around or out), lag, linger, loiter, tarry, amble, lumber, plod, saunter, shuffle, stroll, decelerate, slow (down or up)

Related Entry: Straight arrow (noun)

Straight arrow is a different word from Arrow. The synonyms below are for straight arrow, not for arrow.

  1. as in prude, fuddy-duddy

    similar: fuddy-duddy, prude, killjoy, spoilsport, wet blanket, ascetic
    opposite: debauchee, decadent, hedonist, sensualist, sybarite, voluptuary, Cyrenaic, Epicurean, bon vivant, epicure, glutton, gourmand

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Arrow

The most common words with a similar meaning to Arrow:

Slang: bomb
beeline, catch up, fast-forward, outpace, outrun, outstrip, overtake, accelerate, quicken, step out, gallop, jog, sprint, stampede, streak, whiz, beetle, dart, flit, scamper, scud, scuffle, barrel, belt, blast, blaze, blow, bolt, bowl, breeze, bundle, bustle, buzz, cannonball, careen, career, chase, course, crack (on), dash

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Arrow

Words with the opposite meaning of Arrow:

crawl, creep, poke, dally, dawdle, dillydally, drag, hang (around or out), lag, linger, loiter, tarry, amble, lumber, plod, saunter, shuffle, stroll, decelerate, slow (down or up)

Word Forms of Arrow

Inflections: arrows, arrowed, arrowing

Origin & Etymology of Arrow

Middle English arwe, arowe, going back to Old English earh (strong noun, probably neuter), arwe, arewe (weak feminine noun), going back to Germanic *arhwō- "arrow," presumably originally an adjectival derivative "belonging to the bow" (whence also Old Icelandic ǫr, genitive ǫrvar "arrow," and, with an additional suffix, Gothic arhwazna), going back to dialectal Indo-European *arkw- "bow," whence also Latin arcus "bow, rainbow, arch"

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Arrow

Words & Phrases Containing Arrow

arrow worm, back arrow, broad arrow, straight arrow

Frequently Asked Questions about Arrow

What does "Arrow" mean?

"Arrow" means a missile shot from a bow and usually having a slender shaft, a pointed head, and feathers at the butt. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a missile shot from a bow and usually having a slender shaft, a pointed head, and feathers at the butt.

What is another word for "Arrow"?

Other words for "Arrow" include beeline, catch up, fast-forward, outpace, outrun, outstrip, overtake and accelerate. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Arrow" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Arrow"?

There are 78 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Arrow". Common alternatives include beeline, catch up, fast-forward, outpace, outrun, outstrip, overtake, accelerate, quicken and step out.

What is the opposite of "Arrow"?

Antonyms of "Arrow" include crawl, creep, poke, dally, dawdle, dillydally, drag and hang (around or out).

Is "Arrow" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Arrow" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Arrow" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Arrow" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Arrow"?

"Arrow" is pronounced /ˈer-(ˌ)ō/ and divided into syllables as ar·row.

What is the origin of the word "Arrow"?

"Arrow" comes from Middle English arwe, arowe, going back to Old English earh (strong noun, probably neuter), arwe, arewe (weak feminine noun), going back to Germanic *arhwō- "arrow," presumably originally an adjectival derivative "belonging to the bow" (whence also Old Icelandic ǫr, genitive ǫrvar "arrow," and, with an additional suffix, Gothic arhwazna), going back to dialectal Indo-European *arkw- "bow," whence also Latin arcus "bow, rainbow, arch". First known use: before 12th century.