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Definition of inch
inch
/ɪntʃ/
Plural:inches
•Past Simple:inched
•Past Participle:inched
•Present Participle:inching
inch Lexical Profile
CEFR
A2
Grade
2
Tier
1
Usage
Top 5k
inch Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• 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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View all antonyms for inch• 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
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View all antonyms for inch• Rhymes for inch
• Nearby Words
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').
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Inch. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/inch