Inch

An inch is a unit of linear measurement in the imperial and US customary systems, equal to 1/12 of a foot. It is commonly used for measuring short distances and small objects. It can also be used as a verb, meaning to move slowly or gradually. The origin of the word 'inch' is believed to be from the Old English word 'ynce,' though its precise meaning remains debated. This ancient unit of measure is still widely used for diverse applications from construction to fashion design.

Inch meaning with examples

• The tailor carefully measured the fabric, using his measuring tape down to the inch. He needed to ensure the seams were perfectly aligned. She added another inch to the hem of the skirt to make it floor length. The custom design required accuracy to the inch. Precise measurement was paramount.
• The spider slowly inched its way across the dusty window sill, each tiny movement deliberate. We watched it inch ever closer to the fly. The car inched forward in the slow-moving traffic, crawling toward the intersection. The climbers inched their way up the slippery rock face.
• He had grown an inch taller over the summer vacation! His shoes were also too small. The contractor calculated that the new countertop was an inch too short. The little bird chirped and pecked at an inch of bread crumb. The tailor added an inch to make the sleeve fit.
• The blueprints specified the exact dimensions of the building, down to the inch. The carpenter carefully leveled the surface of the wood, checking its precision. The garden hose slowly inched across the grass. I measured the TV's diagonal length in inches.