The spelling of "most inching" is straightforward when examined using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The word is spelled /moʊst ˈɪntʃɪŋ/, with the stressed syllables indicated by the apostrophes. "Most" is pronounced with the vowel sound /oʊ/, as in "post", while "inching" features the vowel sound /ɪ/ as in "sit". Thus, the word may be used to describe something that is slowly and tentatively progressing, such as a hesitant animal or a person taking small cautious steps.