hiccup

American  

[hik-uhp, -uhp] / ˈhɪk ʌp, -əp /

Or hic-cough

noun

1. a quick, involuntary inhalation that follows a spasm of the diaphragm and is suddenly checked by closure of the glottis, producing a short, relatively sharp sound.

2. Usually hiccups. the condition of having such spasms.

   She got the hiccups just as she began to speak.

3. Informal. a minor difficulty, interruption, setback, etc..

   a hiccup in the stock market.

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verb (used without object)

hiccuped, hiccupped, hiccuping, hiccupping

1. to make the sound of a hiccup.

   The motor hiccuped as it started.

2. to have the hiccups.

3. Informal. to experience a temporary decline, setback, interruption, etc..

   There was general alarm when the economy hiccuped.

hiccup British  

/ ˈhɪkʌp /

noun

1. Technical name: singultus.  a spasm of the diaphragm producing a sudden breathing in followed by a closing of the glottis, resulting in a sharp sound

2. the state or condition of having such spasms

3. informal a minor difficulty or problem

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verb

1. (intr) to make a hiccup or hiccups

2. (tr) to utter with a hiccup or hiccups

Etymology

Origin of hiccup

1570–80; alteration of hocket, hickock, equivalent to hic + -ock; akin to Low German hick hiccup; hocket

Example Sentences

After the hiccup, Riley said the team responded well and it was back to business.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

But whether the chip industry is dealing with a minor hiccup or a big problem is still up in the air.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 13, 2026

Any hiccup in that flywheel—like a report about reluctant lenders—can send the stock plunging.

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026

During his 1981 to 1989 presidency, the S&P 500 had a rough start, plus a nasty hiccup in 1987, but went on to double in value.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

She spoke quietly; she didn’t declaim or raise her voice; and when a sob shook her, it was muffled almost into a hiccup, as if she were stifling her emotions for the sake of courtesy.

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman