hitchhike

[ hich-hahyk ]

/ ˈhɪtʃˌhaɪk /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR hitchhike ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), hitch·hiked, hitch·hik·ing.

to travel by standing on the side of the road and soliciting rides from passing vehicles.

verb (used with object), hitch·hiked, hitch·hik·ing.

to ask for or get (a ride) by hitchhiking.

noun

an act or instance of hitchhiking.

Nearby words

hitch one's wagon to a star, hitch your wagon to a star, hitchcock, hitchcock chair, hitchcock, alfred, hitchhike, hitching post, hitchings, hither, hither and thither, hithermost

Origin of hitchhike

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25; hitch¹ + hike

Related forms

hitch·hik·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for hitchhike

He came to Phoenix once and we went up to see him, and they got so crazy that I ended up trying to hitchhike home.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
As we flew in, he said, ‘Will there be a TV crew at the airport, or will we have to hitchhike into town?’
Nathan Englander Talks About His New Story Collection, Philip Roth, Twitter, and More|Jane Ciabattari|February 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Just like when I used to hitchhike and I could go for days without eating or sleeping.
Robert Bolaño's European Adventures|Roberto Bolano|April 28, 2011|DAILY BEAST
To get here, some have had to undertake long journeys on rickety buses or hitchhike on roads made unsafe at night by bandits.
India's Pink Vigilantes|Amana Fontanella-Khan|February 26, 2011|DAILY BEAST

I didn't have any money, of course, so I had to hitchhike into town.
Back to Julie|Richard Wilson
"When I was a college kid, I used to hitchhike sometimes," Craig remarked.
Stamped Caution|Raymond Zinke Gallun

British Dictionary definitions for hitchhike

hitchhike

/ (ˈhɪtʃˌhaɪk) /

verb

(intr) to travel by obtaining free lifts in motor vehicles

Derived Forms

hitchhiker, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012