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noun Uncommon

glitch

GLIHCH

Glitch (noun) means a small, usually temporary problem or fault, especially in a machine, computer, or software. Example: “A software glitch caused the app to crash twice.”

noun
1
A small, usually temporary problem or fault, especially in a machine, computer, or software.
"A software glitch caused the app to crash twice."
"There was a glitch in the payment system this morning."
verb
1
To malfunction briefly and unexpectedly.
"The screen glitched right before the presentation started."

How to use glitch

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA minor, usually short-lived malfunction, especially in electronics or software.

Common pairings
software glitch technical glitch glitch in the system

Word forms

glitched past tense, glitches plural, glitches singular

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Test yourself on “glitch” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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A software _____ caused the app to crash twice.

Etymology

Probably from Yiddish, ultimately from a German word for "slippery." It was popularized in the 1960s by the US space program, notably by astronaut John Glenn describing electrical spikes.

Origin: German · First attested 1960

Class of 1960 glitch joined the language around 1960.
See the full Class of 1960 →
bug

Related words

Rhymes for glitch

See all rhymes for glitch →

Frequently asked questions

What does “glitch” mean?

The word “glitch” means a small, usually temporary problem or fault, especially in a machine, computer, or software. In plain terms, a minor, usually short-lived malfunction, especially in electronics or software.

How do you pronounce “glitch”?

“Glitch” is pronounced GLIHCH (/ˈɡlɪt͡ʃ/ in IPA).

How do you use “glitch” in a sentence?

Here is “glitch” used in a sentence: “A software glitch caused the app to crash twice.”

What part of speech is “glitch”?

Depending on how it is used, “glitch” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “glitch” come from?

The word “glitch” dates back to around 1960 and comes from German. Probably from Yiddish, ultimately from a German word for "slippery." It was popularized in the 1960s by the US space program, notably by astronaut John Glenn describing electrical spikes.

Is “glitch” a common word?

“Glitch” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “glitch” have?

“Glitch” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, usually temporary problem or fault, especially in a machine, computer, or software.

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