English

An arrow symbol.

Two arrows (projectiles) in a target.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈaɹ.əʊ/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈæɹ.oʊ/, /ˈeɹ.oʊ/, /ˈɛəɹ.oʊ/
• (Mary–marry–merry distinction)
• (Mary–marry–merry merger)
• Rhymes: -ærəʊ

Noun

arrow ‎(plural arrows)

1. A projectile consisting of a shaft, a point and a tail with stabilizing fins that is shot from a bow.
   • 1879, Richard Jefferies, The Amateur Poacher, chapterII:

     Orion hit a rabbit once; but though sore wounded it got to the bury, and, struggling in, the arrow caught the side of the hole and was drawn out. Indeed, a nail filed sharp is not of much avail as an arrowhead; you must have it barbed, and that was a little beyond our skill.

2. A sign or symbol used to indicate a direction (e.g. ).
3. (graph theory) A directed edge.
4. (colloquial, darts) A dart.
5. (computing) The -> symbol, which has specific meanings in various programming languages.

Synonyms

• (projectile): streal
• (in graph theory): arc, directed edge

Derived terms

See also

Translations

Verb

arrow ‎(third-person singular simple present arrows, present participle arrowing, simple past and past participle arrowed)

1. To move swiftly and directly (like an arrow)
2. To let fly swiftly and directly
   • 2012 April 9, Mandeep Sanghera, “Tottenham 1 - 2 Norwich”, in BBC Sport:

     Jermain Defoe dinked in an equaliser and Gareth Bale hit the crossbar for the hosts before Elliott Bennett arrowed in Norwich's winner.

Etymology 2

Representing pronunciation.

Contraction

arrow

1. (obsolete) Contraction of ever a (sometimes used with a redundant a or an).
   • 1749, Henry Fielding, Tom Jones, Folio Society 1973, page 153:

     though he hath lived here this many years, I don't believe there is arrow a servant in the house ever saw the colour of his money.