hiccup
Hiccup (noun) means an involuntary spasm of the diaphragm that produces a short, sharp sound. Example: “He got the hiccups after drinking his soda too fast.”
How to use hiccup
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the sudden throat-and-chest spasm everyone gets sometimes, or a small snag in an otherwise smooth process.
Word forms
hiccuped past tense, hiccupped past tense, hiccups plural, hiccups singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He got the _____ after drinking his soda too fast.
Etymology
From an earlier form "hicket," built from the imitative sound "hic" plus a diminutive ending — the word literally imitates the sound it describes.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “hiccup” mean?
The word “hiccup” means an involuntary spasm of the diaphragm that produces a short, sharp sound. In plain terms, either the sudden throat-and-chest spasm everyone gets sometimes, or a small snag in an otherwise smooth process.
How do you pronounce “hiccup”?
“Hiccup” is pronounced HIH-kuhp (/ˈhɪkʌp/ in IPA).
How do you use “hiccup” in a sentence?
Here is “hiccup” used in a sentence: “He got the hiccups after drinking his soda too fast.”
What part of speech is “hiccup”?
Depending on how it is used, “hiccup” can be a noun and a verb.
How many meanings does “hiccup” have?
“Hiccup” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an involuntary spasm of the diaphragm that produces a short, sharp sound.
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