B2noun1K

Inch

UK /["/ɪntʃ/"]/US /["/ɪntʃ/"]/

Definition

a unit for measuring length or height, equal to 2.54 centimetres. There are 12 inches in a foot.

In simple words: A small measure of length, equal to 1/12 of a foot.

Examples

  • The carpenter measured the wood and cut it to exactly one inch.
  • She was just an inch away from winning the race.
  • The height of the table is about thirty inches.
  • He wouldn't budge an inch on his decision.
  • The temperature dropped an inch during the night.

Usage notes

Use 'inch' in most contexts involving measurements. It is common in everyday speech and writing, especially in the U.S. However, in scientific contexts, metric units are often preferred.

Grammar pattern

standalone unit of measurement

Memory hint

Think of a tiny inchworm measuring just one inch.

Collocations

  • inch by inch
  • one inch
  • three inches

Synonyms

  • inch
  • inches

Antonyms

  • foot
  • yard

Common mistakes

  • Confusing inches with centimeters.
  • Incorrectly using 'inches' as a singular form.
  • Mistaking 'inch' for other units like feet or yards.