glitch

American  

[glich] / glɪtʃ /

noun

1. a defect or malfunction in a machine or plan.

2. Computers. any error, malfunction, or problem.

3. a brief or sudden interruption or surge in voltage in an electric circuit.

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verb (used with object)

1. to cause a glitch in.

   an accident that glitched our plans.

glitch British  

/ ɡlɪtʃ /

noun

1. a sudden instance of malfunctioning or irregularity in an electronic system

2. a change in the rotation rate of a pulsar

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Etymology

Origin of glitch

First recorded in 1960–65; perhaps from Yiddish glitsh “slippery area”; compare glitshn, German glitschen “to slip, slide”

Example Sentences

The only potential glitch in his 24-hour trip was that he had to avoid forking out for a hotel, which could have added an extra £400 to his bill.

From BBC

In a world where more interactions are happening on video calls, glitches have become a normal, everyday occurrence.

From The Wall Street Journal

The surface seemed to glitch at first, like a channel that was scrambled.

From Literature

Kane started seeing problems with Kalshi’s systems—pricing glitches were apparent, and the books for making and taking bets had flipped, causing some confusion among traders, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Japan switched on the world's biggest nuclear power plant again on Monday, its operator said, after an earlier attempt was quickly suspended due to a minor glitch.

From Barron's

Related Words

• bug
• defect
• flaw
• hitch
• malfunction
• mishap
• problem
• setback
• snafu
• snag