a unit of length, 1 / 12 foot, equivalent to 2.54 centimeters.

a very small amount of anything; narrow margin

to win by an inch; to avert disaster by an inch.

to move by inches or small degrees

We inched our way along the road.

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.

every inch

in every respect; completely

That horse is every inch a thoroughbred.

within an inch of

nearly; close to

He came within an inch of getting killed in the crash.

noun

fingerbreadth , one thirty-sixth of a yard , square , creep , length , measurement , move , unit

verb

creep , drag