inch

inch — noun

1. a standard unit of length in the imperial system; one inch equals 2.54 centimetr

1.nounA2
Definition

a standard unit of length in the imperial system; one inch equals 2.54 centimetres, and twelve inches make one foot

Example

The fish Lakshmi caught was about 14 inches long.

You need a 6-inch knife to cut through this thick rope.

hyphenated compound: number-inch + noun

Common collocations
  • inch of rain
  • inch of snow
  • inch wide/long/deep
  • × inches in length

Grammar Patterns

number + inch(es) + adjective (long/wide/deep)

inch(es) of + noun

hyphenated compound: number-inch + noun

Common Mistakes

The door is 30 inch wide.
The door is 30 inches wide.
When no hyphen is used before a noun, 'inch' takes the plural form 'inches' after numbers greater than one.
A 5-inches nail
A 5-inch nail.
In a hyphenated compound before a noun, the singular form 'inch' is always used.

2. a tiny quantity, distance, or level of something

2.nounB1
Definition

a tiny quantity, distance, or level of something

Example

The negotiations have not moved an inch since last week.

negative construction: not + verb + an inch

Antonia was every inch a professional musician from the moment she stepped on stage.

idiom: every inch (completely)

Common collocations
  • not + move/budge/give/trust + an inch
  • every inch
  • within an inch of
  • by inches
  • inch by inch
Synonyms
  • bit

    more general; 'bit' can refer to any small amount, while 'inch' emphasises small distance or degree

  • touch

    suggests a very slight amount, often used with abstract nouns ('a touch of humour')

  • trace

    an amount so small it is barely noticeable, often implying the last remaining evidence of something

Antonyms
  • mile

    used contrastively in the idiom 'give an inch and they'll take a mile' to show the difference between a small concession and excessive demands

Grammar Patterns

not + verb + an inch

every inch + noun phrase

inch of + uncountable noun

within an inch of + noun

Usage Note

Frequently appears in negative constructions ('not budge an inch', 'not trust an inch') and fixed idioms. The positive form 'an inch of' is usually found in questions, conditionals, or proverbs rather than in plain affirmative statements.

Common Mistakes

The cat moved an inch closer.' (using sense 2 for literal positive distance).
The cat did not budge an inch when I called.
For literal positive distance, use sense 1 instead of this figurative sense.
Idioms

every inch

idiom

in every way; completely — used to emphasise that someone has all the qualities of a particular type of person

In her dark suit and sharp glasses, Soraya looked every inch a successful businesswoman.

The garden is every inch a work of art, with carefully placed flowers and stone paths.

inch by inch

idiom

very slowly and in very small stages, often with great care or difficulty

The rescue team searched the rubble inch by inch for any sign of survivors.

Jiwoo inched her way up the mountain trail inch by inch, stopping to catch her breath at every turn.

within an inch of one's life

idiom

almost to the point of death, destruction, or complete defeat

The driver was beaten within an inch of his life by the angry crowd before the police arrived.

The storm shook the old house within an inch of its life, tearing tiles off the roof.

not budge / give / move an inch

idiom

to refuse completely to change your opinion, decision, or position, even by a very small amount

Christopher argued for hours, but Yael would not budge an inch on the price.

The government has said it will not move an inch on its new education policy.

give somebody an inch (and they’ll take a mile/yard)

idiom

If you let someone have a little freedom or power, they will try to get much more.

Maya gave her assistant a small raise, and he asked for a promotion.

If you let your child stay up late once, they'll want to stay up every night.

not budge/give/move an inch

idiom

To completely refuse to change your opinion or decision.

The manager wouldn't budge an inch on the deadline.

Even after hours of discussion, the committee didn't move an inch.

not trust somebody an inch

idiom

To have no trust at all in someone.

I wouldn't trust that salesman an inch with your money.

After he lied to me, I didn't trust him an inch.

inch — verb

Word family

  • inches
    noun pluralA2
  • inched
    verb past tenseB1
  • inching
    verb present participleB1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

All four words describe a small amount, but they differ in what kind of smallness they emphasise. 'Bit' is the most general: you can have a bit of time, space, food, or luck — it works in almost any context. 'Inch' (sense 2) is tied to distance, space, or degree of concession; you would not say 'an inch of sugar' or 'an inch of patience'. 'Touch' suggests a very slight amount added to something, often in abstract or sensory contexts: 'a touch of salt', 'a touch of sadness'. 'Trace' implies an amount so small it is barely detectable, like the last visible sign of something ('a trace of lipstick on the cup'). 'Hint' is similar to 'trace' but more deliberate — a hint of mint in a dish is intentionally subtle. Use 'inch' when the context involves stubbornness, concession, or physical space; use 'bit' as a safe all-purpose choice; use 'touch' for sensory additions; use 'trace' for barely detectable remnants; and use 'hint' for intentionally subtle qualities.

bit ↗touch ↗trace ↗hint ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld EnglishEnglish

The word 'inch' comes from Old English 'ynce', which was borrowed from Latin 'uncia' meaning 'a twelfth part'. In ancient Roman measurement, an uncia was one-twelfth of a foot (pes). This same Latin root also gave us 'ounce' (one-twelfth of a Roman pound), which is why the two words sound alike.