Inch

Pronunciation: /ɪntʃ/

Definitions of inch

noun a unit of linear measure equal to one twelfth of a foot (2.54 cm)

Example Sentences

A1 The ruler is twelve inches long.

A2 She only needed an inch of space to fit the book on the shelf.

B1 The carpenter measured twice to ensure the board was cut to the exact number of inches required.

B2 The seamstress needed to hem the dress by two inches to make it the perfect length.

C1 The marathon runner was leading by a few inches as they approached the finish line.

C2 The precision engineering required for the project meant that every inch of the design had to be meticulously planned.

Examples of inch in a Sentence

formal The carpenter measured the board to be exactly 36 inches long.

informal I need to move my chair an inch to the left.

slang I wouldn't give him an inch in the argument.

figurative She was willing to go the extra inch to make sure the project was a success.

Grammatical Forms of inch

• plural: inches
• comparative: more inches
• superlative: most inches
• present tense: inches
• future tense: will inch
• perfect tense: have inched
• continuous tense: is inching
• singular: inch
• positive degree: inch
• infinitive: to inch
• gerund: inching
• participle: inched

Origin and Evolution of inch

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Old English

Story behind the word: The word 'inch' comes from the Old English word 'ynce' which originated from the Latin word 'uncia' meaning one twelfth.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'inch' has retained its basic meaning of a unit of measurement equal to one twelfth of a foot, but its usage has expanded to refer to small distances or amounts in a more general sense.