Inch
/ɪntʃ/
Definitions
2 meaningsA unit of linear measurement equal to one-twelfth of a foot.
/ɪntʃ/
A unit of length.
The cake was cut into one-inch squares.
💡 Simply: An inch is like a small step on a ruler. Imagine you're measuring the size of your hand, and each little line on the ruler is an inch! For example, your thumb might be about 1 inch wide!
👶 For kids: An inch is a tiny little part of a ruler that helps us measure things. It's smaller than your thumb!
More Examples
The shelf is exactly 12 inches wide.
The rain gauge measured half an inch of rainfall.
How It's Used
"The screen measures 15 inches diagonally."
"The pipe is four inches in diameter."
To move slowly and gradually.
/ɪntʃ/
To move slowly and carefully.
The line of cars inched forward during the rush hour.
💡 Simply: To inch means to move a little bit at a time, like slowly wiggling your toes in the sand. For example, if you are afraid of heights, you might inch your way to the edge of a balcony.
👶 For kids: To inch means to move very, very slowly. Like a snail!
More Examples
She inched the door open to peek inside.
The clock inched towards midnight, the deadline looming.
How It's Used
"The car inched forward in the traffic jam."
"Progress inched along on the project."
Idioms & expressions
give an inch
To concede slightly; to make a small compromise.
"If you give him an inch, he'll take a mile."
From Old English ynce, from Latin uncia (a twelfth part). It originally referred to a twelfth part of a foot.
Inches have been used as a unit of measurement for centuries, with roots in the Roman system of measurement.
Memory tip
Think of the small units on a ruler.