Disclosed is an elongated absorbent article including a liquid absorbent layer. In a region where the liquid absorbent layer is present, compressed grooves are disposed to extend symmetrically about a longitudinal centerline, defining a central region therebetween and side regions laterally outside the central region and adjacent the compressed grooves. The central region includes front, intermediate and rear central regions. The intermediate central region has a widened portion in which the separation distance is larger than in regions positioned forward and rearward thereof. Stiffness of the side regions is lower in portions laterally outside the intermediate central region than in portions laterally outside the front and rear central regions.