hiccup JUST WRITTEN FOR YOU
/ˈhɪkəp/ · hic·cup
noun
- A sudden involuntary contraction of the diaphragm that produces a characteristic sound. She tried to hold her breath, but a loud hiccup escaped her.
- A brief, unexpected interruption or irregularity, especially in a process or system. The software update suffered a minor hiccup before completing.
- A small setback or difficulty. There was a hiccup in the shipping schedule, but the goods arrived on time.
verb
- To experience or produce a hiccup. After drinking the soda too fast, he hiccuped several times.
- To speak with a hiccuping sound. The nervous witness hiccuped his testimony, making it hard to follow.
- To make a brief, stuttering sound like a hiccup, especially of a machine. The old engine hiccuped before finally dying.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Did you know? The word 'hiccup' is one of the few English words whose spelling and pronunciation have diverged; the older form 'hiccough' is still used in some dialects despite being pronounced the same.