glitch
Americannoun
-
glitches
plural
-
a defect or malfunction in a machine or plan.
-
Computers. any error, malfunction, or problem.
-
a brief or sudden interruption or surge in voltage in an electric circuit.
verb (used with object)
noun
-
a sudden instance of malfunctioning or irregularity in an electronic system
-
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
This Week in Words: January 26 - February 1, 2019
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Out of My Mind
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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:
Boeing’s jet deliveries are rising, but high oil prices, defense-sector concerns, a 737 MAX glitch, and pending regulatory approvals are weighing on its stock.
From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2026
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
The glitch was found in a cockpit software update to the plane model and can cause an automated navigation feature to fail when planes shift their approach to landing.
From Barron's ● Oct. 3, 2026
There was one slight glitch to happily ever after.
From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi
The senators also say they are "deeply concerned" by reports of disruptions or "glitches" affecting intelligence-sharing and threat-warning capabilities relied upon by personnel operating in Ukraine.
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026
And Meta acknowledges that there will be glitches: When users register for Muse, a warning pops up saying the agent “may make mistakes or take unexpected actions, so review its work.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 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
As they do, one of them suddenly glitches out of sight.
From "Warcross" by Marie Lu
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
