hiccups

hic·cup

H h

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
- [hik-uhp, -uh p]
- /ˈhɪk ʌp, -əp/
- /ˈhɪk.ʌp/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [hik-uhp, -uh p]
- /ˈhɪk ʌp, -əp/

Definitions of hiccups word

noun hiccups a quick, involuntary inhalation that follows a spasm of the diaphragm and is suddenly checked by closure of the glottis, producing a short, relatively sharp sound. 1
noun hiccups Usually, hiccups. the condition of having such spasms: She got the hiccups just as she began to speak. 1
noun hiccups Informal. a minor difficulty, interruption, setback, etc.: a hiccup in the stock market. 1
verb without object hiccups to make the sound of a hiccup: The motor hiccuped as it started. 1
verb without object hiccups to have the hiccups. 1
verb without object hiccups Informal. to experience a temporary decline, setback, interruption, etc.: There was general alarm when the economy hiccuped. 1

See all 10 definitions of hiccups

Information block about the term

Origin of hiccups

First appearance:

before 1570

One of the 33% oldest English words

1570-80; alteration of hocket, hickock, equivalent to hic + -ock; akin to Low German hick hiccup; see hocket

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Hiccups

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Hiccups

hiccups popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 77% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

hiccups usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for hiccups

noun hiccups

glitches — A sudden, usually temporary malfunction or irregularity of equipment.
interruptions — an act or instance of interrupting.
delays — Plural form of delay.
setbacks — a check to progress; a reverse or defeat: The new law was a setback.

All 4 Synonyms of hiccups