glitch
Americannoun
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glitches
plural
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a defect or malfunction in a machine or plan.
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Computers. any error, malfunction, or problem.
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a brief or sudden interruption or surge in voltage in an electric circuit.
verb (used with object)
noun
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a sudden instance of malfunctioning or irregularity in an electronic system
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a change in the rotation rate of a pulsar
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of glitch
First recorded in 1960–65; perhaps from Yiddish glitsh “slippery area”; compare glitshn, German glitschen “to slip, slide”
Explanation
A glitch is a problem or malfunction, usually a temporary one, in a system or machine. Your science fair team might experience a major glitch in your plans if you lose your data tables as the result of a computer glitch. Glitch is a pretty new word, introduced in the 1960s when the science and technology of space flight was being developed. It originally meant a sudden surge of electrical current that caused a disturbance or malfunction. The word can also be used more broadly to describe any unexpected difficultly, like the glitch in your travel plans that resulted from airport delays.
Vocabulary lists containing glitch
English Words Derived from Yiddish
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
A glitch in the Defra computer system left him locked out of the website for hours.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
Hamilton bemused after glitch turns F1 into 'Lego race'
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
Boeing on Friday added that it was working to formalize a procedure with airlines that would allow pilots to restore automated flight guidance in case the glitch occurs.
From Barron's ● Oct. 3, 2026
US air safety regulators are delaying certification of the 737 MAX 10 until determining a fresh software glitch poses no safety risk, a top official said Monday.
From Barron's ● Sep. 28, 2026
Titov had held out hope that some last-second glitch with Gagarin’s equipment would let him, Titov, make the historic flight.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
DoorDash also cited technical glitches and multi-stop delivery routes for causing the firm to underpay workers or delay wages.
From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026
A simple Google search of this management software continues to show on-going issues due to outages, ransomware breaches, cyberattacks and tech glitches that caused global classes and exams to need rescheduling.
From Salon ● Aug. 24, 2026
Crusoe has also run into turbine glitches and other technical problems at Stargate Abilene, according to the Information.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026
Tesla’s robotaxis have been lagging behind after they launched in Austin in 2025 and were met with several reports of glitches and safety concerns.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026
“With these”—he rushes to slide a book back on the shelf, but again, he glitches and his hand passes right through it—“you are bringing stories to a new world.”
From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
