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)

• ace
• hair
• hairbreadth
• hairsbreadth
• hairline
• hop, skip, and jump
• neck
• shouting distance
• step
• stone's throw

Verb

• creep
• encroach
• worm

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

The National Weather Service issued a report at 9:13 a.m. on Thursday, warning residents of strong thunderstorms until 9:45 a.m. Expect penny-sized hail (0.75 inches) and wind gusts of up to 40 mph. —Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 May 2024

Meanwhile, the original ROG Ally is 1.27 inches (32mm) thick, and 0.83 inches (21mm) of that is its tablet region. —Sean Hollister, The Verge, 16 May 2024

Up to three inches of rainfall will be possible, which may result in flash flooding, the NWS tweeted. —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 15 May 2024

The bird with a wingspan of just seven inches was singing passionately, an act that marked its territory as breeding season picked up in mid-March. —Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2024

Between March 1 and May 13, Milwaukee received 8.5 inches of precipitation in 2022 and 6.9 inches in 2023. —Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 15 May 2024

About one-tenth to one-quarter of an inch of rain is likely in the area, though more could accumulate if storms are strong. —Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 3 May 2024

She is described by police as a black female with brown eyes, black and brown braided hair down to her lower back with red braids, is 5 feet, 3 inches tall, and weighs 135 pounds. —Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 May 2024

Roll sizes range from 19 inches by 4 feet to 19 inches by 10 feet. —Nor'adila Hepburn, Southern Living, 2 May 2024

Verb

Julia is the first convert in the mayor’s camp to embrace Cesar’s Megalopolis project, but Frank’s savvy wife Teresa (the sublime Kathryn Hunter) gradually inches toward becoming a believer too. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 May 2024

The number of office workers coming downtown seems to be inching up every month. —Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2024

Over hours at the fair, Bardella inched his way through the crowds, telling farmers that Macron’s government was driving them out of business, and stopping every few seconds to pose for selfies. —TIME, 15 May 2024

This strategy has allowed Russia to exploit its manpower and firepower advantage to gradually inch forward against overstretched and exhausted defenders — evident in the way Russia made its recent incursions in Ukraine’s north. —Anatoly Kurmanaev, New York Times, 13 May 2024

Content revenue was down 46% and distribution inched up 1%. —Jennifer Maas, Variety, 9 May 2024

Earnings per share also inched up towards $2, offering shareholders another reason to give management the thumbs-up. —Byeleanor Pringle, Fortune, 9 May 2024

Slow speed and balance allow the vehicle to inch down carefully and in control. —Phoebe Wall Howard, Detroit Free Press, 4 May 2024

Still, their turnout has inched up in recent years. —Faith E. Pinho, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2024

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
• every inch of
• every inch of the way
• every inch/step of the way
• give/budge an inch
• inch by inch
• inch plant
• within an inch of

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