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Definition of inch

inch

/ɪntʃ/
Plural:inches
•
Past Simple:inched
•
Past Participle:inched
•
Present Participle:inching
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inch Lexical Profile

inch Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A standard unit of linear measure in the imperial and US customary systems, equal to one twelfth of a foot or exactly 2.54 centimeters.

Example

"She used a ruler to draw a margin exactly one inch wide around the edge of the paper."

2

A very small amount, distance, or margin.

Example

"The speeding car missed the pedestrian by a mere inch."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• verb

1

To move slowly and carefully by small degrees or increments.

Example

"During the heavy snowstorm, traffic inched along the highway for hours."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for inch
Antonyms
View all antonyms for inch

• Rhymes for inch

• Nearby Words

incest
incestuous
incestuously
inch
incheon
inchworm
incidence

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English 'ynce', derived from Latin 'uncia' meaning 'a twelfth part' (which is also the etymological root of the word 'ounce').

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Inch. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/inch
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