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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This Week in Words: January 26 - February 1, 2019
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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:
At the center of the recurring glitch is Union Rescue Mission, a privately funded, faith-based organization that has provided shelter and services on Skid Row for 135 years.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026
The venue had power outages before due to electrical problems, so he had assumed it was just another power glitch.
From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026
The president later blamed a faulty teleprompter glitch for the mishap.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 4, 2026
This, of course, is reminiscent of a similar glitch that nearly destroyed The Beef in “Review,” the critically acclaimed first-season oner that made the show a summertime must-watch.
From Salon ● Jun. 28, 2026
Maybe there really was a glitch with the Crystal Ball, and this will prove that whatever happened back there was a mistake.
From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston
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
Waymo is well ahead in the robotaxi race, operating in more than 10 major cities while Elon Musk’s Tesla is still facing safety and operational glitches.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
But experts say the platforms cannot hide behind software glitches.
From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026
Dipke has called for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who has faced criticism over the irregularities, including paper leaks and technical glitches.
From Barron's ● Jun. 6, 2026
The image of the man in the turban glitches, and I can barely hear his final words as he pats the boy on the shoulder.
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.
