inch
gb/ˈɪnt͡ʃ/ us/ˈɪnt͡ʃ/
A2
English
~ 2200
hüvelyk, col, araszol, apránként mozgat, hajszálnyi, egy hajszállal, egy hajszálon múlik
NOUN
A2
1
Usage pattern:
[number] inch(es)
The screen measures 15 inches across.
A képernyő átlója 15 hüvelyk.
She cut a piece of wood exactly six inches long.
Pontosan hat hüvelyk hosszú fadarabot vágott le.
The snowfall was about three inches deep.
The fish was over twelve inches in length.
Learner examples
The table is 30 inches long.
Az asztal 30 hüvelyk hosszú.
My phone is six inches tall.
A telefonom hat hüvelyk magas.
The paper is eight inches wide.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'inch' with 'inches' when talking about more than one; remember to add 'es' for plural.
Meaning
Unit of length (2.54 cm)
Collocations
inch ruler
|inch thick
|inch wide
|inch mark
Synonyms
centimeter (Metric equivalent; not exact but similar in function as a length unit.)
Antonyms
foot (A larger unit of length in the same measurement system.)
Themes
measurement
|daily life
|science
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A measure of length equal to 2.54 centimeters or one-twelfth of a foot.
A unit of length in the imperial and US customary systems equal to 1/12 of a foot or exactly 2.54 centimeters.
VERB
B1
2
araszol
B2
Usage pattern:
to inch [something] [direction]
The car inched forward in the traffic jam.
A dugóban az autó csak araszolt előre.
She inched closer to hear what they were saying.
Óvatosan közelebb araszolt, hogy hallja, mit mondanak.
He inched the box toward the corner.
Learner examples
The cat inched toward the bird.
A macska óvatosan a madár felé araszolt.
I inched my chair closer to the table.
Apránként közelebb húztam a székemet az asztalhoz.
We inched forward in line.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'inch' as a verb with 'inching towards' metaphorical uses; remember it can be literal physical movement.
Meaning
Move slowly or gradually
Collocations
inch forward
|inch closer
|inch along
Synonyms
creep (Similar slow movement, often with stealth implied.)
Antonyms
rush (To move quickly and without hesitation.)
Themes
movement
|daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To move slowly and carefully, a little at a time.
To move slowly and carefully, or to move something slowly, usually by small amounts at a time.
NOUN
B2
3
Usage pattern:
within an inch of [something]
He won the race by an inch.
Csak egy hajszállal nyerte meg a versenyt.
They escaped death by inches.
Csak egy hajszálon múlt, hogy nem haltak meg.
She was within an inch of winning.
Learner examples
The ball missed me by an inch.
A labda egy hajszállal ment el mellettem.
We finished the game within an inch of losing.
Egy hajszálon múlt, hogy nem veszítettük el a játékot.
He was an inch from the wall.
Meaning
Small distance or amount
Collocations
every inch
|within an inch of
Synonyms
fraction (A part that is very small; more mathematical.)
Antonyms
mile (A much larger distance, opposite in scale.)
Themes
measurement
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A very small distance or amount.
A very small distance or amount, often used figuratively to mean a tiny margin.
Grammar
Dictionary form
inch
IPA
GB/ˈɪnt͡ʃ/
US/ˈɪnt͡ʃ/
Syllables & stress
inch (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (inch)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: inch
- Plural: inches
Verb
- Base: inch
- 3rd Person Singular: inches
- Present Participle: inching
- Past: inched
Word family
Forms
inches
noun
inching
verb
inched
verb
Expressions
every inch
1/ˈɛvɹi ˈɪnt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
Completely or fully
In every way; completely.
Examples
- She looked every inch a queen in her gown.
- He is every inch a professional.
give an inch (and they'll take a mile)
1/ɡˈɪv ən ˈɪnt͡ʃ ˈænd ðˈeɪl tˈeɪk ə mˈaɪl/
idiom
informal
Small concession leads to big demands
If you let someone have a little, they will want much more.
Examples
- Be careful with him—give an inch and he'll take a mile.
- I let them stay late once, and now they expect it every day.
inch by inch
1/ˈɪnt͡ʃ bˈaɪ ˈɪnt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
Very slowly and gradually
Moving forward very slowly and step by step.
Examples
- Inch by inch, they climbed up the cliff.
- The project moved forward inch by inch.
within an inch of [something]
1/wɪðˈɪn ən ˈɪnt͡ʃ əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Very close to something
Almost at; very near to something.
Examples
- The ball passed within an inch of my head.
- She came within an inch of winning the championship.