inch
ihnch
Inch (noun) means a unit of length equal to 1/12 of a foot, or 2.54 centimetres. Example: “The photo measures four inches by six inches.”
noun
1
A unit of length equal to 1/12 of a foot, or 2.54 centimetres.
"The photo measures four inches by six inches."
"The snow was about an inch deep on the garden wall."
"Cut the ribbon to a length of six inches."
2
A very small amount or distance.
"She wouldn't give an inch during the negotiation."
"He missed the target by an inch."
"The boat came within an inch of the rocks."
verb
1
To move slowly and carefully, little by little.
"The car inched forward through the traffic jam."
"He inched closer to the edge of the roof."
"The snail inched slowly across the wet garden path."
How to use inch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small unit of length, or (as a verb) to creep forward gradually.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
inch forward
inch closer
every inch
not give an inch
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Word forms
- Plural
- inches
- Third person singular
- inches
- Past tense
- inched
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The photo measures four _____ by six inches.
Etymology
From Old English ynce, borrowed from Latin uncia, meaning "a twelfth part" — the same root that gives us "ounce."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for inch
See all rhymes for inch →Frequently asked questions
What does “inch” mean?
The word “inch” means a unit of length equal to 1/12 of a foot, or 2.54 centimetres. In plain terms, a small unit of length, or (as a verb) to creep forward gradually.
How do you pronounce “inch”?
“Inch” is pronounced ihnch (/ɪnt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “inch” in a sentence?
Here is “inch” used in a sentence: “The photo measures four inches by six inches.”
What part of speech is “inch”?
Depending on how it is used, “inch” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “inch” come from?
The word “inch” comes from Latin. From Old English ynce, borrowed from Latin uncia, meaning "a twelfth part" — the same root that gives us "ounce.".
Is “inch” a common word?
“Inch” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “inch” have?
“Inch” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a unit of length equal to 1/12 of a foot, or 2.54 centimetres.
What is the difference between an inch and an ounce?
They measure completely different things. An inch is a unit of length — 1/12 of a foot, or 2.54 centimetres. An ounce is a unit of weight, about 28 grams. The two are confused mainly because both are small imperial units with short names, but one measures distance and the other mass.
How many centimetres are in an inch?
One inch equals exactly 2.54 centimetres. To convert inches to centimetres, multiply by 2.54; to go the other way, divide centimetres by 2.54. There are also 12 inches in a foot and 36 in a yard, making the inch the smallest common unit in that system.
Can "inch" be used as a verb?
Yes. To inch means to move very slowly and gradually, by tiny amounts, as if one inch at a time — "the car inched forward in traffic," or "prices inched higher." The verb keeps the sense of a very small distance or amount.
How many inches are in a foot?
There are twelve inches in a foot, and three feet — thirty-six inches — in a yard. The inch is the base small unit of the imperial and US customary systems, still widely used for height, screen sizes and everyday measurements in Britain and the United States.
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