hitchhike

verb

hitch·​hike ˈhich-ˌhīk 

hitchhiked; hitchhiking; hitchhikes

intransitive verb

1

: to travel by securing free rides from passing vehicles

2

: to be carried or transported by chance or unintentionally

destructive insects hitchhiking on ships

transitive verb

: to solicit and obtain (a free ride) especially in a passing vehicle

hitchhiker noun

Synonyms of hitchhike

• hitch

Examples of hitchhike in a Sentence

Her car broke down, so she had to hitchhike back home.

He hitchhiked his way across the country last summer.

Recent Examples on the Web

Goodman was hitchhiking in the days following the festival when a driver stopped to give him a ride. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 18 Aug. 2026

There are dozens of examples of invasive marine species hitchhiking on ships and threatening ecosystems around the globe. — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2026

One couple had to hitchhike for more than 40 miles to reach safety. — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026

Next, she is picked up by Ju Gang-chan while trying to hitchhike. — Kayti Burt, Time, 27 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for hitchhike

• alike
• belike
• birdlike
• catlike
• childlike
• christlike
• deathlike
• dislike
• dreamlike
• friedreich
• godlike
• hairlike

Kids Definition

hitchhike

verb

hitch·​hike ˈhich-ˌhīk 

: to travel by securing free rides from passing vehicles

hitchhiker noun