Phrase guide

by inches

prep_phrase · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

Very gradually; by small degrees.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • to kill by inches
  • to die by inches

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: little by little

Antonyms: none provided

2

adverb

Meaning 2

by a short distance

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • they moved it by inches

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: little by little, by small degrees

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Esperanto: iom post iom — Translations
  • Esperanto: je coloj — Translations
  • Finnish: pikkuhiljaa — Translations
  • French: à petit feu — Translations