arrow
Pluralarrows
Pluralarrows
Formsarrows, arrowing, arrowed
- 1A thin stick with a sharp point and feathers at one end, shot from a bow.
Like a small spear that you shoot instead of throw.
She pulled an arrow from her quiver and aimed at the target.
The arrows missed the deer and stuck in the tree.
UsageSay shoot an arrow at something.
- 2A mark like → or -> that points a direction or, in computer code, has a special meaning.
Like a pointing finger drawn on paper.
Follow the arrow on the wall to find the exit.
Painted arrows on the road told drivers which lane to use.
UsageSay follow the arrows or the arrow points to the exit.
Similarpointer
Note
- 3A line in a diagram that points from one dot to another.
Like a one-way street drawn between two points.
In this graph, an arrow from Sam's dot to Lee's dot means Sam follows Lee.
In the graph, each arrow runs from one dot to another.
Similararc
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Less common meanings
- 4To move fast and straight, or to send something fast and straight, like an arrow.
Like a stone shooting straight across the ice.
Dolphins arrow through the water when they chase fish.
The sled arrowed straight down the icy slope.
UsageSay where it goes: arrow across the sky.
Note
- 5A throwing dart used in the game of darts.
Like a small pointed dart you toss at a target.
He threw his last arrow and hit the bullseye.
Her three arrows all landed in the twenty.
UsagePlayers say Good arrows! to praise a good throw.
Similardart
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- 6
- 7In some kinds of math, a link from one object to another.
Like an arrow connecting two boxes that you can follow in order.
In category theory, each arrow links one object to another.
In category theory, two arrows that meet end to end can be combined into one.
Similarmorphism
Note
- 8To pick someone to do a job, usually one no one wants.
Like being picked to do the chore nobody else wants.
The boss arrowed me to clean out the storeroom.
They always arrow the new guy for the worst shifts.
UsageSay arrow someone to do something, or arrow someone for a task.
Similarnominate, designate, assign, pick, tap
Note
- 9The feathery flower at the top of a fully grown sugar cane plant.
- 10To grow a feathery flower at the top of the stalk.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
It comes from Old English earh, meaning arrow. This goes back through older Germanic and Indo-European roots meaning "bow, arrow."
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts
- Arrow derives from Old English earh, meaning “arrow.” en.wiktionary.org
- The word has older Germanic and Indo-European ancestors with meanings “arrow” and “bow, arrow.” en.wiktionary.org