noun
glitch
GLIHCH
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 notesIn 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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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.