Inching Meaning in English
word · lemma: inch
ˈɪntʃɪŋ
IN-ching
ˈɪntʃɪŋ
IN-ching
Definition
Moving slowly and carefully, usually by a very small amount at a time. Often used to describe progress or movement that is gradual.
Usage & Nuances
Commonly used in continuous tenses ('is inching forward'), often for slow or hesitant progress. Can describe both physical movement and metaphorical progress. Formal or informal; avoid confusing with measurement ('inch' as a unit).
Spanish: avanzando poco a poco - moviéndose lentamentePortuguese (BR): avançando lentamente - movendo-se pouco a poucoPortuguese (PT): avançando lentamente - movendo-se aos poucosChinese (Simplified): 慢慢移动 - 一点一点地前进Chinese (Traditional): 慢慢移動 - 一點一點地前進Hindi: धीरे-धीरे बढ़ना - थोड़ा-थोड़ा करके आगे बढ़नाArabic: يتقدم ببطء - يتحرك قليلاً قليلاًBengali: ধীরে ধীরে এগোনো - সামান্য করে এগোনোRussian: медленно продвигаться - понемногу двигатьсяJapanese: 少しずつ進む - ゆっくり進むVietnamese: nhích dần - di chuyển từ từKorean: 조금씩 움직이다 - 살금살금 다가가다Turkish: yavaşça ilerlemek - azar azar ilerlemekUrdu: آہستہ آہستہ بڑھنا - تھوڑا تھوڑا آگے بڑھناIndonesian: bergerak perlahan - merayap sedikit demi sedikit
Example Sentences
The turtle is inching along the road.
basic
He is inching closer to the goal every day.
basic
The car was inching forward in heavy traffic.
basic
I'm inching my way through this long book.
natural
The cat kept inching toward the food but stopped when I looked at her.
natural
Negotiations are inching forward, but progress is slow.
natural