Thumb vs. Inch: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 7, 2023
A thumb is the short, thick digit of the human hand, while an inch is a unit of length equal to 1/12th of a foot.
Key Differences
The thumb is a unique and essential part of the human hand, distinguished from the other fingers due to its opposable nature, allowing humans to grasp objects. In contrast, an inch is a standardized unit of measurement used primarily in the Imperial and U.S. customary measurement systems to denote length.
Historically, some cultures have used the width of a thumb as a rough basis for the measure of an inch, illustrating how sometimes our body parts have been used as benchmarks for standardized measurements. However, today, the inch is clearly defined without reference to the body.
The thumb has been referenced in various idioms and cultural contexts, such as "thumbs up" for approval or "under one's thumb" to indicate control. The term inch has found its way into idioms as well, such as "give an inch, take a mile", indicating the potential escalation from small allowances.
When talking about digital devices, to thumb means to browse or go through content by pushing or touching a surface, such as thumbing through an eBook. On the other hand, an inch is a frequent unit to describe the diagonal screen size of devices, like a 7-inch tablet.
From a grammatical standpoint, while thumb can be both a noun (referring to the digit) and a verb (the act of using the thumb), inch primarily remains a noun. As a verb, to inch means to move very slowly and gradually.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Part of the human hand
Unit of measurement
Historical Use
Used as a rough measure in some cultures
Standardized unit in Imperial and U.S. systems
Cultural Context
Found in idioms indicating approval or control
Used in idioms to describe small allowances or distances
Digital Context
Refers to browsing or going through content
Refers to the screen size of devices
Grammatical Use
Can be both a noun and a verb
Primarily a noun; as a verb, it means to move slowly and gradually
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Thumb and Inch Definitions
Thumb
The opposable digit of the human hand.
She gave a thumb up to show her approval.
Inch
A unit of length in the US Customary and British Imperial systems, equal to 1/12 of a foot (2.54 centimeters). See Table at measurement.
Thumb
To solicit or ask for a ride by signaling with the thumb.
She was thumbing a ride to the nearest town.
Inch
A fall, as of rain or snow, sufficient to cover a surface to the depth of one inch.
Thumb
An indication of approval or disapproval.
The project got the thumb down from the boss.
Inch
A unit of atmospheric pressure that is equal to the pressure exerted by a one-inch column of mercury at the earth's surface at a temperature of 0°C.
Thumb
The act of using the thumb in various activities.
The baby's thumb sucking was a source of comfort.
Inch
A very small degree or amount
Won't budge an inch.
Thumb
The short thick digit of the human hand, next to the index finger and opposable to each of the other four digits.
Inch
A small island.
Thumb
A corresponding digit in other animals, especially primates. Also called pollex.
Inch
To move or cause to move slowly or by small degrees
Inching along through stalled traffic.
Inched the chair forward.
Thumb
The part of a glove or mitten that covers the thumb.
Inch
An English unit of length equal to 1/12 of a foot or 2.54 cm, roughly the width of a thumb.
Thumb
(Architecture) An ovolo.
Inch
(figuratively) Any very short distance.
Don't move an inch!
Thumb
To scan (written matter) by turning over pages with or as if with the thumb.
Inch
Any of various similar units of length in other traditional systems of measurement.
Thumb
To disarrange, soil, or wear by careless or frequent handling.
Inch
(meteorology) A depth of one inch on the ground, used as a measurement of rainfall.
Thumb
(Informal) To solicit (a ride) from a passing vehicle by signaling with the thumb.
Inch
A depth of one inch in a glass, used as a rough measurement of alcoholic beverages.
Thumb
To scan written matter by turning over pages with or as if with the thumb
Thumbed through the latest issue of the magazine.
Inch
A small island#Noun; an islet#Noun.
Thumb
(Informal) To hitchhike.
Inch
A meadow#Noun, pasture#Noun, field#Noun, or haugh#Noun.
Thumb
The short thick digit of the hand that for humans has the most mobility and can be made to oppose (moved to touch) all of the other fingers.
Inch
To advance very slowly, or by a small amount (in a particular direction).
Fearful of falling, he inched along the window ledge.
Thumb
(GUI) The part of a slider that may be moved linearly along the slider.
A scroll-bar thumb
Inch
To drive by inches, or small degrees.
Thumb
A thumbnail picture.
Inch
To deal out by inches; to give sparingly.
Thumb
(transitive) To touch or cover with the thumb.
To thumb the touch-hole of a cannon
Inch
To humiliate; to provoke; to speak in a cocky and cheeky manner
Thumb
To turn the pages of (a book) in order to read it cursorily.
I thumbed through the book and decided not to bother reading it all.
Inch
Cocky and cheeky
Thumb
(travel) To hitchhike
So I started thumbin' back east, toward my hometown.
Inch
An island; - often used in the names of small islands off the coast of Scotland, as in Inchcolm, Inchkeith, etc.
Thumb
To soil or wear with the thumb or the fingers; to soil, or wear out, by frequent handling.
Inch
A measure of length, the twelfth part of a foot, commonly subdivided into halves, quarters, eights, sixteenths, etc., as among mechanics. It was also formerly divided into twelve parts, called lines, and originally into three parts, called barleycorns, its length supposed to have been determined from three grains of barley placed end to end lengthwise. It is also sometimes called a prime (´), composed of twelve seconds (´´), as in the duodecimal system of arithmetic.
12 seconds (´´) make 1 inch or prime. 12 inches or primes (´) make 1 foot.
Thumb
To manipulate (an object) with the thumb; especially, to pull back the hammer or open the cylinder of a revolver.
Inch
A small distance or degree, whether of time or space; hence, a critical moment; also used metaphorically of minor concessins in bargaining; as, he won't give an inch; give him an inch and he'll take a mile.
Beldame, I think we watched you at an inch.
Thumb
To fire (a single action revolver) quickly by pulling the hammer while keeping the trigger depressed.
Inch
To drive by inches, or small degrees.
He gets too far into the soldier's graceAnd inches out my master.
Thumb
The short, thick first digit of the human hand, differing from the other fingers in having but two phalanges; the pollex. See Pollex.
Upon his thumb he had of gold a ring.
Inch
To deal out by inches; to give sparingly.
Thumb
To handle awkwardly.
Inch
To advance or retire by inches or small degrees; to move slowly; as, to inch forward.
With slow paces measures back the field,And inches to the walls.
Thumb
To play with the thumbs, or with the thumbs and fingers; as, to thumb over a tune.
Inch
Measuring an inch in any dimension, whether length, breadth, or thickness; - used in composition; as, a two-inch cable; a four-inch plank.
Thumb
To soil or wear with the thumb or the fingers; to soil, or wear out, by frequent handling; also, to cover with the thumb; as, to thumb the touch-hole of a cannon.
He gravely informed the enemy that all his cards had been thumbed to pieces, and begged them to let him have a few more packs.
Inch
A unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
Thumb
To play with the thumb or thumbs; to play clumsily; to thrum.
Inch
A unit of measurement for advertising space
Thumb
The thick short innermost digit of the forelimb
Inch
Advance slowly, as if by inches;
He edged towards the car
Thumb
The part of a glove that provides a covering for the thumb
Thumb
A convex molding having a cross section in the form of a quarter of a circle or of an ellipse
Thumb
Travel by getting free rides from motorists
Thumb
Look through a book or other written material;
He thumbed through the report
She leafed through the volume
Thumb
Feel or handle with the fingers;
Finger the binding of the book
Thumb
To press, move, or touch something with one's thumb.
He thumbed through the pages of the magazine.
FAQs
Is a thumb different from other fingers?
Yes, the thumb is opposable, allowing for grasping.
Can you thumb a ride?
Yes, to thumb a ride means to hitchhike.
What is an inch used to measure?
An inch is used to measure length or distance.
What part of the body is the thumb?
The thumb is the opposable digit on the human hand.
Can you use your thumb for fingerprint identification?
Yes, the thumb has unique ridges used for identification.
How is screen size usually measured?
Screen size is typically measured diagonally in inches.
How many inches are in a foot?
There are 12 inches in a foot.
In which countries is the inch primarily used?
The inch is primarily used in the U.S. and a few other countries.
Can inch be used as a verb?
Yes, to inch means to move very slowly.
Does the term thumb appear in any idioms?
Yes, idioms like "under one's thumb" or "thumbs up" include the term.
How many inches are in a meter?
There are approximately 39.37 inches in a meter.
How many inches make up a yard?
There are 36 inches in a yard.
Can you break or sprain your thumb?
Yes, like other digits, the thumb can be injured.
What is a rule of thumb?
A rule of thumb is a broadly accurate guide or principle based on experience.
Do any other systems use the term inch?
Yes, inch is also a unit of pressure, as in inches of mercury.
How is a thumb drive named so?
A thumb drive, or USB drive, is roughly the size and shape of a thumb.
Is inch worm an actual inch long?
Not necessarily; inchworm refers to its crawling motion, not its length.
Is there a bone called the thumb bone?
The thumb has two phalanges and a metacarpal but isn't referred to as the "thumb bone."
Is an inch the same worldwide?
Yes, an inch is standardized and represents the same length everywhere.
Does thumb wrestling involve the entire hand?
No, thumb wrestling primarily involves using the thumbs.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
