inch

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈinch 

1

: a unit of length equal to ¹/₃₆ yard see Weights and Measures Table

2

: a small amount, distance, or degree

is like cutting a dog's tail off by inches

—Milton Friedman

3

inches plural : stature, height

4

a

: a fall (as of rain or snow) sufficient to cover a surface or to fill a gauge to the depth of one inch

b

: a degree of atmospheric or other pressure sufficient to balance the weight of a column of liquid (such as mercury) one inch high in a barometer or manometer

5

: a small advantage especially from lenient or compassionate treatment

—usually used in the phrase give an inch

inch

2 of 3

verb

inched; inching; inches

intransitive verb

: to move by small degrees : progress slowly

the long line of people inching up the stairs

transitive verb

: to cause to move slowly

sooner or later they begin inching prices back up

—Forbes

inch

3 of 3

noun (2)

chiefly Scotland

: island

Phrases

every inch

: to the utmost degree

looks every inch a winner

inch by inch

: very gradually or slowly

within an inch of

: almost to the point of

came within an inch of succeeding

Did you know?

The ancient Romans used a system of weights and measures based on units divided into 12 parts. Thus the Latin uncia, meaning “a 12th part,” designated the 12th part of a foot. From this is derived Old English ince or ynce and modern English inch. The Roman pound was also divided into 12 parts, similarly designated by the word uncia. In this sense uncia followed a different path and became Middle English unce or ounce, which was the 12th part of a pound in the troy system. In the avoirdupois system, which is more widely used, the pound is larger and equals 16 ounces. The English noun inch dates to before the 12th century; the verb meaning “to move very slowly” does not appear until around 1600.

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• step
• neck
• hair
• bit
• hairsbreadth
• ace
• hairbreadth

Verb

• encroach

Examples of inch in a Sentence

Noun (1)

give them an inch, and they'll take a mile

inch by inch, we're making progress toward our fund-raising goal

made the most of her inches by standing on her tiptoes to reach the top shelf

Verb

We inched along in heavy traffic.

As she neared the finish line, she inched ahead of the other racers.

Gas prices are inching up again.

I inched the car into the garage.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Place cutouts 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. —Jenavieve Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025

The pants come in four inseam lengths, from 28 to 34 inches, and a wide range of fun colors. —Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2025

Verb

Three signs point to risk of war A growing show of force in the Caribbean is fueling fears that the United States and Venezuela are inching toward military confrontation. —Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025

While enjoying lunch at The Drexel in South Beach, Kevin Sabo and his husband, Samuel Richardson noticed the furry culprit inching closer to his table. —Ronnie Li, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English ynce, from Latin uncia — more at ounce

Noun (2)

Middle English (Scots), from Scottish Gaelic innis

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1599, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing inch

• acre-inch
• every inch of
• every inch of the way
• every inch/step of the way
• give/budge an inch
• inch plant

Rhymes for inch

• cinch
• finch
• flinch
• lynch
• pinch
• synch
• winch
• bullfinch
• goldfinch

Kids Definition

inch

1 of 2 noun

ˈinch 

1

: a unit of length equal to ¹⁄₃₆ yard (2.54 centimeters) see measure

2

: a small amount, distance, or degree

won't budge an inch

3

: a small advantage especially from kind treatment

—usually used in the phrase give an inch

did not give an inch during negotiations

inch

2 of 2 verb

: to move a little bit at a time

Etymology

Noun

Old English ynce "inch," from Latin uncia "a 12th part, ounce," from unus "one" — related to ounce, unite see Word History at ounce

Medical Definition

inch

noun

ˈinch 

: a unit of length equal to ¹/₃₆ yard or 2.54 centimeters