Inch: meaning, definitions and examples

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inch

[ɪn(t)ʃ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

measurement

A unit of linear measurement equal to one twelfth of a foot (2.54 centimeters).

Synonyms

centimeter, foot.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
inch	Used to describe small lengths or increments, commonly used in the United States. The shelf is off by just an inch. He moved an inch closer to the window.
foot	Used to describe larger lengths, commonly used in the United States to measure human height or room dimensions. The ceiling is 10 feet high. He is six feet tall.
centimeter	Used to describe small lengths or increments, commonly in countries using the metric system. The fabric is 30 centimeters wide. She measured the book's height in centimeters.

Word

Description / Examples

inch

Used to describe small lengths or increments, commonly used in the United States.

The shelf is off by just an inch.
He moved an inch closer to the window.

foot

Used to describe larger lengths, commonly used in the United States to measure human height or room dimensions.

The ceiling is 10 feet high.
He is six feet tall.

centimeter

Used to describe small lengths or increments, commonly in countries using the metric system.

The fabric is 30 centimeters wide.
She measured the book's height in centimeters.

Examples of usage

Her waist size is 30 inches.
The TV screen is 32 inches wide.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

move slowly

Move slowly and carefully in a specified direction.

Synonyms

crawl, creep.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
inch	Used to indicate a slow, gradual movement, often in small increments. She inched her way closer to the edge to get a better view. The car inched forward in the heavy traffic.
creep	Often used to describe quiet, stealthy movement, sometimes with a slightly negative or eerie connotation. She tried to creep past the sleeping dog without waking it. A feeling of unease crept over him as he walked through the dark alley.
crawl	Typically used to describe a very slow movement, often on hands and knees, or when referring to babies or small creatures. The baby learned to crawl at six months old. He had to crawl through the narrow tunnel to reach the cave.

Word

Description / Examples

inch

Used to indicate a slow, gradual movement, often in small increments.

She inched her way closer to the edge to get a better view.
The car inched forward in the heavy traffic.

creep

Often used to describe quiet, stealthy movement, sometimes with a slightly negative or eerie connotation.

She tried to creep past the sleeping dog without waking it.
A feeling of unease crept over him as he walked through the dark alley.

crawl

Typically used to describe a very slow movement, often on hands and knees, or when referring to babies or small creatures.

The baby learned to crawl at six months old.
He had to crawl through the narrow tunnel to reach the cave.

Examples of usage

The car inched forward in the traffic jam.
She inched her way through the crowded room.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'inch' comes from the Latin word 'uncia', which means one-twelfth.
In Old French, it was known as 'unche' before it became 'inch' in English.
In ancient Roman times, an inch was based on the length of three barleycorns placed end to end.

Science

Inches are commonly used in fields like engineering and construction to ensure precision.
A common human height measure is in inches, leading to comparisons like 'I’m 60 inches tall!' for a 5-foot person.
Inches are often converted to metric units; for example, 1 inch equals 2.54 centimeters.

Cultural Reference

Inches are often referred to in everyday life, like measuring a piece of paper or checking the size of shoes.
The phrase 'an inch makes a difference' implies that even small measurements can be significant in planning or design.
In literature and films, characters often talk about inches to convey small, critical changes during a journey or competition.

Mathematics

Inches are crucial for converting larger measurements into smaller ones, especially in practical math applications.
Understanding inches is essential for geometric calculations, like determining the areas of rectangles or squares.
In the Imperial system, there are 12 inches in a foot, making it easy to convert between different lengths.

Pop Culture

The phrase 'Every inch counts' highlights how even minor details can have a large impact, often used in sports or competitions.
Inch is commonly heard in popular sayings, like 'an inch from victory', emphasizing close calls or thrilling moments.
The exploration of inches often comes into play in home improvement shows where precise measurements determine the project's success.

Translations

Translations of the word "inch" in other languages:

🇵🇹 polegada

🇮🇳 इंच

🇩🇪 Zoll

🇮🇩 inci

🇺🇦 дюйм

🇵🇱 cal

🇯🇵 インチ

🇫🇷 pouce

🇪🇸 pulgada

🇹🇷 inç

🇰🇷 인치

🇸🇦 بوصة

🇨🇿 palec

🇸🇰 palec

🇨🇳 英寸

🇸🇮 palec

🇮🇸 tomma

🇰🇿 дюйм

🇬🇪 დუიმი

🇦🇿 düym

🇲🇽 pulgada

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,494, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.

...
1491 explain
1492 jury
1493 valuable
1494 inch
1495 window
1496 rapidly
1497 spread
...