arrow
B1neutral
Definition
Meaning
A thin, straight, pointed weapon or symbol shot from a bow.
A sign consisting of a straight line with a triangular head, used to indicate direction.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun; meaning can be concrete (weapon) or abstract (direction sign).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences. 'Bow and arrow' is standard in both varieties.
Connotations
In computing/UI context (arrow key), 'cursor key' is a possible UK variant, but 'arrow key' is dominant in both.
Frequency
Comparably frequent; symbol meaning slightly more frequent in modern technical/UI contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] an arrow (e.g., shoot, fire)an arrow [verb] (e.g., points, indicates)an arrow [preposition] (e.g., of time)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “straight arrow (an honest, conventional person)”
- “slings and arrows (misfortunes, from Hamlet)”
- “arrow of time (concept of one-way direction of time)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in diagrams (growth arrow pointing upwards) and presentations to indicate direction or trend.
Academic
In physics/maths: 'vector' or 'arrow' to denote direction and magnitude; in history/archaeology: reference to weaponry.
Everyday
Following a directional arrow on a sign; referring to a weapon in historical/fictional contexts.
Technical
UI element (cursor control); symbol in flowcharts, diagrams, and mathematical notation.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The path arrowed its way through the dense forest.
- Light arrowed through the gap in the curtains.
American English
- The new highway will arrow straight to the city center.
- His gaze arrowed in on the suspect.
adverb
British English
- The jet flew arrow-straight across the sky.
- He ran arrow-quick to the finish line.
American English
- The stock price went arrow-up after the announcement.
- She moved arrow-fast through the crowd.
adjective
British English
- The arrow speed of the train was impressive.
- He made an arrow-straight line for the exit.
American English
- She has an arrow-straight posture.
- The report showed arrow-like growth in the sector.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The arrow on the sign shows us the way.
- Robin Hood used a bow and arrow.
- Click the right arrow key to move forward.
- An ancient arrowhead was found at the site.
- The graph uses a red arrow to highlight the critical trend.
- His criticism was a direct arrow aimed at the management's policy.
- The concept of the arrow of time is central to thermodynamics.
- She navigated the slings and arrows of starting her own business with resilience.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
An ARROW is very NARROW and flies straight.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIRECTION IS AN ARROW (e.g., 'pointing the way'), PROGRESS/INCREASE IS AN UPWARD ARROW.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'стрелка' for a clock/watch hand, which is 'clock hand' or 'watch hand' in English.
- Avoid using 'arrow' for a railway switch/point, which is 'points' or 'switch'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'arrow' as a verb (to arrow) is rare and poetic; 'to shoot an arrow' is standard.
- Confusing 'arrow' (weapon/sign) with 'bow' (the device that shoots it).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'straight arrow' used idiomatically?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is rare and literary. It means to move swiftly and directly like an arrow (e.g., 'The cheetah arrowed across the plain').
An arrow is typically longer, shot from a bow. A dart is shorter, lighter, and can be thrown by hand or shot from a blowgun or dart gun.
Yes, often to represent a vector (showing direction and magnitude) or in logic/computer science to denote implication (→).
It is a military term for an accident involving nuclear weapons. Colloquially, it can signify a situation that has gone terribly wrong.
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