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

Despite that slight educational hiccup, over the weekend the 18-year-old twins graduated at the top of Vista Ridge High School’s class of 2026. —Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026

Travel may come with a few more hiccups than usual this month, with Mercury slowing to a retrograde on June 29 and a general undercurrent of logistical friction. —Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 May 2026

Verb

The action is smooth, with the Switch 2 not hiccupping when juggling dozens of small critters. —Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 19 May 2026

For 20 years, Joey Ramone’s hiccupping croon and Johnny Ramone’s relentless power chords kept on and on for 14 albums and more than 2,000 shows. —Al Shipley, SPIN, 4 May 2026

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