noun

hiccups

HIH-kuhps

noun

A series of involuntary, repeated spasms of the diaphragm, each cut short by the sudden closing of the vocal cords, producing a sharp "hic" sound.

"He drank a glass of water upside down to try to cure his hiccups."

"She got the hiccups after laughing too hard at dinner."

A small, temporary problem or interruption in an otherwise smooth process.

"There were a few technical hiccups during the live broadcast."

"Aside from one scheduling hiccup, the whole trip went smoothly."

How to Use Hiccups

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe little involuntary "hic!" spasms you get after eating too fast or laughing hard — or, more loosely, any minor snag in a plan.

Common mistake

Usually used as a plural noun ("the hiccups"), even when talking about a single ongoing bout of it.

Common pairings

get the hiccups cure the hiccups a minor hiccup technical hiccup

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He drank a glass of water upside down to try to cure his _____.