inch

[ inch ]

/ ɪntʃ /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: inch / inched / inching on Thesaurus.com

noun

a unit of length, 1/12 (0.0833) foot, equivalent to 2.54 centimeters. Abbreviation: in.

a very small amount of anything; narrow margin: to win by an inch; to avert disaster by an inch.

verb (used with or without object)

to move by inches or small degrees: We inched our way along the road.

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about inch

by inches,

narrowly; by a narrow margin: escaped by inches.
Also inch by inch. by small degrees or stages; gradually: The miners worked their way through the narrow shaft inch by inch.

every inch, in every respect; completely: That horse is every inch a thoroughbred.

within an inch of, nearly; close to: He came within an inch of getting killed in the crash.

Origin of inch

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English ynce, from Latin uncia “twelfth part, inch, ounce.” See ounce¹

Words nearby inch

incertitude, incessant, incessantly, incest, incestuous, inch, inch along, in character, in charge, inch by inch, in check

Other definitions for inch (2 of 2)

inch²

[ inch ]

/ ɪntʃ /

noun Scot.

a small island near the seacoast.

Origin of inch

1375–1425; late Middle English <Scots Gaelic innse, genitive of innis island, Old Irish inis, cognate with Welsh ynys

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use inch in a sentence

Through Stafford and southern Charles counties about one to three inches fell.
D.C.-area forecast: Raw today. Iciness threat grows Saturday into early Sunday.|A. Camden Walker|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
Still, the chance of picking up a quick inch somewhere along the line seems good.
D.C.-area forecast: Snow and wintry mix taper off this morning, while ice concerns mount for Saturday|David Streit|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
Mittens that fit properly will extend about a quarter of an inch from your outstretched fingers and allow you to comfortably make a fist.
Best mittens: Keep your hands cozy|PopSci Commerce Team|February 8, 2021|Popular-Science
In parts of Southern Maryland, however, where the snow was heavier, amounts were as high as two to four inches despite similar temperatures.
After Sunday’s slush fest, another winter storm threatens by Wednesday night|Jason Samenow, Wes Junker|February 8, 2021|Washington Post

The lessons started with shooting and more shooting, and nature helped as Lee grew an inch a year.
Lee for 3! Can This South Korean Break the NBA Barrier?|Daniel Malloy|February 5, 2021|Ozy
Neil Patrick Harris, Hedwig and the Angry Inch Neil Patrick Harris in fishnets, high heels, and glitter could be a great gag.
Hedwig, Hugh & Michael Cera: 12 Powerhouse Theater Performances of 2014|Janice Kaplan|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
With a 1¾-inch ice cream scoop (or two spoons), scoop round balls of dough onto the prepared sheet pans.
Make These Barefoot Contessa Salty Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies|Ina Garten|November 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Cut the phyllo in half crosswise to make two (7 × 8½-inch) rectangles.
The Barefoot Contessa’s Tasty Trip to Paris|Ina Garten|November 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Anna Whiston-Donaldson is a popular blogger at An Inch of Gray.
Book Bag: Reading Your Way Out Of Grief|Anna Whiston-Donaldson|October 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the coming month, Maynard may play a crucial role in helping the GOP inch forward on this controversial issue.
The Beautiful Newlywed Who Made the Right Change Its Mind on Physician-Assisted Death|Samantha Allen|October 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Clodd tells us that one cubic inch of rotten stone contains 41 thousand million vegetable skeletons of diatoms.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
I believe you will find this an exceeding good duty for a 5½-inch cylinder engine.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick
The care shown in rearing insures a perfect straightness of stem, and an equable diameter of about an inch or an inch and a half.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
He was absorbed in the agitated present, and dared not look an inch away from it.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
Search with a one-twelfth-inch objective, using very subdued light.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd

British Dictionary definitions for inch (1 of 2)

inch¹

/ (ɪntʃ) /

noun

a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot or 0.0254 metre

meteorol

an amount of precipitation that would cover a surface with water one inch deepfive inches of rain fell in January
a unit of pressure equal to a mercury column one inch high in a barometer

a very small distance, degree, or amount

every inch in every way; completelyhe was every inch an aristocrat

inch by inch gradually; little by little

within an inch of very close to

verb

to move or be moved very slowly or in very small stepsthe car inched forward

(tr foll by out) to defeat (someone) by a very small margin

Word Origin for inch

Old English ynce, from Latin uncia twelfth part; see ounce 1

British Dictionary definitions for inch (2 of 2)

inch²

/ (ɪntʃ) /

noun

Scot and Irish a small island

Word Origin for inch

C15: from Gaelic innis island; compare Welsh ynys

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for inch

inch

[ ĭnch ]

A unit of length in the US Customary System equal to 112 of a foot (2.54 centimeters). See Table at measurement.

Other Idioms and Phrases with inch

inch

In addition to the idioms beginning with inch

inch along
inch by inch

also see:

by inches
every inch
give an inch
within an ace (inch) of

inch

Idioms about inch

Origin of inch

Words nearby inch

Other definitions for inch (2 of 2)

Origin of inch

Words related to inch

How to use inch in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for inch (1 of 2)

Word Origin for inch

British Dictionary definitions for inch (2 of 2)

Word Origin for inch

Scientific definitions for inch

Other Idioms and Phrases with inch