hiccup

1 of 2

noun

hic·​cup ˈhi-(ˌ)kəp 

variants or less commonly hiccough

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

—often used with the

has the hiccups

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

hiccup

2 of 2

verb

variants or less commonly hiccough

hiccuped also hiccupped; hiccuping also hiccupping

intransitive verb

: to make a hiccup

also : to be affected with hiccups

Synonyms of hiccup

Noun

• interruption
• interval
• hiatus
• pause
• gap

Examples of hiccup in a Sentence

Noun

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 on the Web

Noun

Pass protection had an uncharacteristic hiccup; the Canes permitted four sacks after allowing just 15 in its first 14 games. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026

However, what's good for Elkhouri's business is a new year hiccup for drivers as well as a surprise for Oakland Transportation Management Executive Director, Mavis Rainey. —John Shumway, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026

Verb

There were the kinds of first-day hiccups employees of all kinds can relate to. —Drew Kann, AJC.com, 6 Jan. 2026

Burnett leaned into the character’s drinking habit, hiccupping through Miss Hannigan’s swigs from a bottle of bathtub gin. —Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

imitative

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1580, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hiccup

• hiccough

Kids Definition

hiccup

1 of 2 noun

hic·​cup

variants also hiccough

ˈhik-(ˌ)əp 

: a sudden drawing in of breath that is followed and stopped by sudden closure of the glottis and accompanied by a gulping sound

hiccup

2 of 2 verb

variants also hiccough

hiccuped also hiccupped; hiccuping also hiccupping

: to make a hiccup or be affected with hiccups

Medical Definition

hiccup

1 of 2 noun

hic·​cup

variants also hiccough

ˈhik-(ˌ)əp 

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

—The Journal of the American Medical Association

hiccup

2 of 2 intransitive verb

variants also hiccough

hiccuped also hiccupped or hiccoughed; hiccuping also hiccupping or hiccoughing

: to make a hiccup

also : to be affected with hiccups

hiccuper noun

also hiccougher