Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [inch]
- /ɪntʃ/
- /ɪntʃ/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [inch]
- /ɪntʃ/
Definitions of inching word
- noun inching a unit of length, 1/12 (0.0833) foot, equivalent to 2.54 centimeters. 1
- noun inching a very small amount of anything; narrow margin: to win by an inch; to avert disaster by an inch. 1
- idioms inching by inches, narrowly; by a narrow margin: escaped by inches. Also, inch by inch. by small degrees or stages; gradually: The miners worked their way through the narrow shaft inch by inch. 1
- idioms inching every inch, in every respect; completely: That horse is every inch a thoroughbred. 1
- idioms inching within an inch of, nearly; close to: He came within an inch of getting killed in the crash. 1
- noun inching Present participle of inch. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of inching
First appearance:
before 1000 One of the 6% oldest English words
before 1000; Middle English; Old English ynce < Latin uncia twelfth part, inch, ounce. See ounce1
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Inching
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
inching popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 96% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
inching usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for inching
adj inching
- dragging — marked by or involving the wearing of clothing characteristically associated with the opposite sex; transvestite.
- groveling — to humble oneself or act in an abject manner, as in great fear or utter servility.
- crawling — a defect in freshly applied paint or varnish characterized by bare patches and ridging
- sneaking — acting in a furtive or underhand way.
- quailing — to lose heart or courage in difficulty or danger; shrink with fear.
verb inching
- bend — When you bend, you move the top part of your body downwards and forwards. Plants and trees also bend.
- propel — to drive, or cause to move, forward or onward: to propel a boat by rowing.
- shift — to put (something) aside and replace it by another or others; change or exchange: to shift friends; to shift ideas.
- move — to pass from one place or position to another.
- influence — the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others: He used family influence to get the contract.
Antonyms for inching
adj inching
- standing — rank or status, especially with respect to social, economic, or personal position, reputation, etc.: He had little standing in the community.
- vertical — being in a position or direction perpendicular to the plane of the horizon; upright; plumb.
- upright — erect or vertical, as in position or posture.
verb inching
- hinder — to cause delay, interruption, or difficulty in; hamper; impede: The storm hindered our progress.
- remain — to continue in the same state; continue to be as specified: to remain at peace.
- dissuade — to deter by advice or persuasion; persuade not to do something (often followed by from): She dissuaded him from leaving home.
- prevent — to keep from occurring; avert; hinder: He intervened to prevent bloodshed.
- repress — to keep under control, check, or suppress (desires, feelings, actions, tears, etc.).
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with i
- Words starting with in
- Words starting with inc
- Words starting with inch
- Words starting with inchi
- Words starting with inchin
- Words starting with inching