hiccup

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noun hic·cup \ ˈhi-(ˌ)kəp \

variants: or less commonly hiccough

Definition of hiccup

1 :a spasmodic inhalation with closure of the glottis accompanied by a peculiar sound

2 :an attack of hiccuping —usually used in plural but singular or plural in construction

3 a :a slight irregularity, error, or malfunction

a few hiccups in the computer system

b :a usually minor and short-lived interruption or disruption, or change

a hiccup in the stock market

See hiccup defined for English-language learners

See hiccup defined for kids

Examples of hiccup in a Sentence

Our computer problems were caused by a hiccup in the power supply.
The stock market has continued to rise, except for a slight hiccup earlier this month.

Recent Examples of hiccup from the Web

Smith said this summer's hiccup had nothing to do with the billing system.

— james bruggers, The Courier-Journal, "Placed on hold, thousands have hung up on water company this summer," 17 Aug. 2017
According to Disneyland blog MiceChat (which has more photos), the railroad’s re-launch has had some hiccups.

— brittany martin, Los Angeles Magazine, "One of Disneyland’s Most Iconic Attractions Is Back in Action," 7 Aug. 2017
Those hiccups came in contrast to an otherwise excellent day by Miami’s defense.

— adam h. beasley, miamiherald, "Maxwell stills thinks he’s NFL’s best corner — and wants the rest of the league to think the same," 29 July 2017
Barguil had a brief hiccup, needing to catch up after a puncture, but generally the peloton took in the sights.

— samuel petrequin, courant.com, "Team Sky Rider Chris Froome Wins 4th Tour De France Title," 23 July 2017
A catering hiccup over the coffee left some with a bitter taste, but it was rectified by Tuesday with the help of some chocolate biscuits.

— david goodman, Bloomberg.com, "Brexit Bulletin: Glimmers of Hope," 19 July 2017
During preview period, matchmaking hiccups meant regular five-minute delays between rounds.

— sam machkovech, Ars Technica, "Splatoon 2 redeems the most clever online shooter series in years," 18 July 2017
Until her hiccup on 16, Choi, who had made the cut in her only two career appearances on the LPGA Tour prior to last week, played with the poise of a veteran.

— joe juliano, Philly.com, "Despite late trouble, 17-year-old Hye-Jin Choi shined at U.S. Women's Open," 17 July 2017
There are shots of smiling contestants in bright florals, a parrot, a dancing lizard, and more tweets from fans delighted by the show’s return after what appears in the trailer to have been a minor hiccup.

— madeleine aggeler, The Cut, "The New Bachelor in Paradise Trailer Is Here, and It’s Bad," 17 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hiccup.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of hiccup

imitative

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1580

See Words from the same year

hiccup Synonyms

Synonyms

discontinuity, hiatus, gap (also hiccough), interim, interlude, intermission, interregnum, interruption, interstice, interval, parenthesis

Antonyms

continuation, continuity

Related Words

caesura, comma, interspace, lag, pause, space, time lag, window; entr'acte; bumper; adjournment, discontinuance, lapse, suspension; lull, recess, respite, rest; subinterval

Near Antonyms

continuum, run, stretch; procession, progression

hiccup

verb

variants: or less commonly hiccough

Definition of hiccup

hiccuped also hiccupped; hiccuping also hiccupping

intransitive verb

:to make a hiccup; also :to be affected with hiccups

Recent Examples of hiccup from the Web

Starr’s Mill hiccupped on its opening possession but the Panthers turned in a strong performance otherwise, trouncing visiting Newnan 40-13 Friday night.

— jay stone, ajc, "Starr’s Mill 40, Newnan 13," 25 Aug. 2017
Swift and Antonoff blow past the production clichés of clap tracks and hiccuped syllabic hooks that have proliferated across Top 40 fare in recent years with boldly inventive textures and fresh melodic, rhythmic and sonic accents.

— randy lewis, latimes.com, "Taylor Swift drops 'Look What You Made Me Do' and it's aggressive," 24 Aug. 2017
And the pedestrian app hiccuped repeatedly, counting the seconds faster or slower than the crossing sign showed.

— rebekah l. sanders, azcentral, "Is it possible to stop red-light accidents? Maricopa County hopes so," 28 Apr. 2017

First Known Use of hiccup

circa 1580

HICCUP Defined for English Language Learners

hiccup

play

noun

Definition of hiccup for English Language Learners

: a sound in your throat that is caused by a sudden, uncontrolled movement of muscles in your chest after you have eaten or drunk too much or too quickly
hiccups : a condition in which you make hiccups repeatedly
: a small problem, change, or delay

HICCUP Defined for Kids

hiccup

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noun hic·cup \ ˈhi-ˌkəp \

Definition of hiccup for Students

:a gulping sound caused by sudden movements of muscles active in breathing

hiccup

verb

Definition of hiccup for Students

hiccuped also hiccupped; hiccuping also hiccupping

:to make a gulping sound caused by sudden movements of muscles active in breathing

Medical Dictionary

hiccup

noun hic·cup

variants: also hiccough play \ˈhik-(ˌ)əp\

medical Definition of hiccup

1 :a spasmodic inhalation with closure of the glottis accompanied by a peculiar sound

2 :an attack of hiccuping —usually used in plural but singular or plural in construction

severe hiccups is sometimes seen after operation
—Lancet

intractable hiccup…may be successfully treated
—Journal of the American Medical Association

hiccup

intransitive verb

variants: also hiccough

medical Definition of hiccup

hiccuped also hiccupped or hiccoughed; hiccuping also hiccupping or hiccoughing

:to make a hiccup; also :to be affected with hiccups

—

hiccuper

also hiccougher noun

Learn More about hiccup

See words that rhyme with hiccup Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hiccup Spanish Central: Translation of hiccup Nglish: Translation of hiccup for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of hiccup for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hiccup

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hiccup

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HICCUP Defined for English Language Learners

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Definition of hiccup for English Language Learners

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Medical Dictionary

hiccup

medical Definition of hiccup

hiccup

medical Definition of hiccup

hiccuper

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