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

The career included its hiccups, a not-yet-ready-for-primetime quarterback thrust into a starting role as a freshman, an on-campus protest in which the football team was lodged and, well, not as many wins as anyone involved would have liked. — Sam McDowell 9, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026

Meanwhile, Buffalo’s Josh Allen remains one of the most watchable quarterbacks in the league (this despite his recent hiccups), and the 3-1 Raiders proved their mettle last weekend against their divisional rivals. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Verb

Open Doors hiccups Thomas was one of only a few to get a standalone former restaurant, the former Barrio Taqueria space. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 2 June 2026

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