inch
1a 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.
to move by inches or small degrees: We inched our way along the road.
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
1Words Nearby inch
Other definitions for inch (2 of 2)
a small island near the seacoast.
Origin of inch
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
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 PostStill, 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 PostMittens that fit properly will extend about a quarter of an inch from your outstretched fingers and allow you to comfortably make a fist.
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 PostThe lessons started with shooting and more shooting, and nature helped as Lee grew an inch a year.
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 | THE DAILY BEASTWith 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 | THE DAILY BEASTCut the phyllo in half crosswise to make two (7 × 8½-inch) rectangles.
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 | THE DAILY BEASTIn 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 | THE DAILY BEASTClodd tells us that one cubic inch of rotten stone contains 41 thousand million vegetable skeletons of diatoms.
God and my Neighbour | Robert BlatchfordI believe you will find this an exceeding good duty for a 5½-inch cylinder engine.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2) | Francis TrevithickThe 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.
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)
/ (ɪntʃ) /
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 deep: five 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; completely: he was every inch an aristocrat
inch by inch gradually; little by little
within an inch of very close to
to move or be moved very slowly or in very small steps: the car inched forward
(tr foll by out) to defeat (someone) by a very small margin
Origin of inch
1British Dictionary definitions for inch (2 of 2)
/ (ɪntʃ) /
Scot and Irish a small island
Origin of inch
2Collins 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
[ ĭnch ]
A unit of length in the US Customary System equal to 112 of a foot (2.54 centimeters). See Table at measurement.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with 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
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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