Meaning & use
inch
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Meanings
nouncountable
A unit of length equal to 2.54 centimeters, or one-twelfth of a foot.
Grammar: Used with numbers: one inch, two inches. Abbreviated as in or with a double prime symbol (″).
Patterns
- X inches long
- X inches wide
- X inches tall
The screen measures 6.1 inches across.
He is six feet two inches tall.
Cut the paper into strips about two inches wide.
nounsingular
A very small amount or distance.
Grammar: Often used in phrases like 'not an inch' or 'every inch' to mean a tiny amount or complete extent.
Patterns
- not an inch
- every inch
- within an inch of something
She refused to give an inch in the negotiations.
The car missed the pedestrian by inches.
He looked every inch a professional.
verbintransitive
To move very slowly and carefully in small steps.
Grammar: Often followed by an adverb or preposition: inch forward, inch along, inch toward.
Patterns
- inch forward
- inch along
- inch toward something
- inch past something
The traffic inched forward through the heavy rain.
She inched along the narrow ledge.
The caterpillar inched its way up the stem.
Word forms
| plural | inches |
|---|---|
| third person singular | inches |
| past tense | inched |
| past participle | inched |
| -ing form | inching |
Common combinations
- inch by inch
- They moved the piano inch by inch down the stairs.
- every inch
- The hotel was every inch as luxurious as advertised.
- within an inch of
- The driver came within an inch of hitting the cyclist.
- inch forward
- The queue inched forward slowly.
- square inch
- The pressure is measured in pounds per square inch.
Synonyms and how they differ
- centimeter
- A metric unit of length; one inch equals about 2.54 centimeters, so use 'centimeter' in metric contexts.
- creep
- As a verb, 'creep' also means move slowly, but often suggests quiet, stealthy movement, while 'inch' emphasizes very small, careful steps.
- edge
- As a verb, 'edge' can mean move gradually, but it often implies sideways movement, while 'inch' suggests forward movement in tiny amounts.
Word family
- inched verb
- Past tense of inch, meaning moved slowly.
- inching verb
- Present participle of inch, meaning moving slowly.
Commonly confused: inch or intch?
inch vs intch
A common misspelling; the correct spelling is 'inch'.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
Option 0 uses 'inched' correctly to mean moved slowly. The other options contradict the slow meaning of 'inch' by adding words like 'quickly' or 'speed'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “inch”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.