hitch

1 of 2

verb

ˈhich 

hitched; hitching; hitches

transitive verb

1

: to move by jerks or with a tug

hitching his chair closer to the table

2

a

: to catch or fasten by or as if by a hook or knot

hitched his horse to the fence post

b(1)

: to connect (a vehicle or implement) with a source of motive power

hitch a rake to a tractor

(2)

: to attach (a source of motive power) to a vehicle or instrument

hitch the horses to the wagon

c

: to join in marriage

got hitched

3

: hitchhike

hitched a ride into town

intransitive verb

1

: to move with halts and jerks : hobble

hitched along on her cane

2

a

: to become entangled, made fast, or linked

b

: to become joined in marriage

3

: hitchhike

hitched back home

hitcher noun

hitch

2 of 2

noun

1

: limp

had a hitch in his step

2

: a sudden movement or pull : jerk

gave his trousers a hitch

3

a

: a sudden halt : stoppage

a hitch in the performance

b

: a usually unforeseen difficulty or obstacle

The plan went off without a hitch.

4

: the act or fact of catching hold

5

: a connection between a vehicle or implement and a detachable source of power (such as a tractor or horse)

attached a trailer hitch to his pickup

6

: a delimited period especially of military service

serving a four-year hitch in the navy

7

: any of various knots used to form a temporary noose in a line or to secure a line temporarily to an object

8

: lift entry 2 sense 5b

catching a hitch into town

Synonyms

Verb

• yank
• jerk
• pull
• lurch
• twitch

Noun

• snag
• risk
• catch
• kicker
• land mine
• booby trap

Examples of hitch in a Sentence

Verb

hitch a trailer to a car

He hitched across the country last summer.

He hitched his way across the country last summer.

Noun

The plan went off without a hitch.

He went back to college after doing his hitch in the army.

a seven-year hitch at the newspaper

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Now hitched, John and Jane navigate a high-risk mission every week while also facing a new relationship milestone. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 2 July 2025

The invasive fire ants first hitched a boat ride to Alabama in 1918. —Gareth McGrath, USA Today, 28 June 2025

Noun

The show began without a hitch, but about 20 to 25 minutes later, there were whispers of confusion, then a panicked commotion. —Jordan Friedman, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 July 2025

Priyanka's promo for Heads of State appears to have gone off without a hitch otherwise. —Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 2 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English hytchen

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hitch

• Blackwall hitch
• clove hitch
• half hitch
• hitch a lift
• hitch a ride
• hitch one's wagon to
• hitch up
• rolling hitch
• timber hitch
• without a hitch

Rhymes for hitch

• bitch
• ditch
• fiche
• glitch
• ich
• itch
• kitsch
• lich
• mitch
• niche
• pitch
• snitch

Kids Definition

hitch

1 of 2 verb

ˈhich 

1

: to move by jerks

2

: to catch, fasten, or connect by or as if by a hook or knot

hitch a horse to a rail

3

: hitchhike

hitcher noun

hitch

2 of 2 noun

1

: a jerky movement or pull

2

: an unexpected stop or obstacle

the plan went off without a hitch

3

: the connection between something towed (as a plow or trailer) and its mover (as a tractor, automobile, or animal)

4

: a knot used for a temporary fastening

5

: a period usually of military service

do a hitch in the army