1

inch

noun \ ˈinch \

Examples: inch in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of inch

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

— 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.

Origin and Etymology of inch

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

2

inch

verb

Definition of inch

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

See inch defined for English-language learners

Examples of inch in a Sentence

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.

First Known Use of inch

1599

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

inch Synonyms

Synonyms

crawl, creak (along), creep, drag, limp, nose, ooze, plod, poke, slouch;

Antonyms

fly, race, speed, whiz (or whizz), zip;

Near Antonyms

float, glide, sail;

Related Words

lumber, shamble, shuffle, tramp, trudge;

3

inch

noun

Definition of inch

chiefly Scotland

: island

Origin and Etymology of inch

Middle English (Scots), from Scottish Gaelic innis

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

INCH Defined for English Language Learners

inch

verb

Definition of inch for English Language Learners

: to move very slowly or by a small amount in a specified direction or manner

INCH Defined for Kids

1

inch

noun \ ˈinch \

Definition of inch for Students

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

2

inch

verb

Definition of inch for Students

inched; inching

: to move a little bit at a time We inched to the ticket counter.

Medical Dictionary

inch

noun \ ˈinch \

medical Definition of inch

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

Learn More about inch

See words that rhyme with inch Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for inch Spanish Central: Translation of inch Nglish: Translation of inch for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of inch for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about inch

Seen and Heard

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