glitch
GLITCH
/ɡlɪtʃ/
A sudden, brief, and temporary malfunction or fault in equipment, software, or network transmission.
Implies a minor, temporary technical hiccup rather than a catastrophic software failure or total hardware breakdown.
The story behind the word. The word likely entered English via Yiddish 'glitshn' (to slip). It was popularized in the 1960s by NASA astronauts and engineers who used 'glitch' to describe sudden voltage spikes causing minor spacecraft errors.
Word relationships
- hiccup: 'Hiccup' can describe non-technical minor setbacks, while 'glitch' emphasizes electrical or software anomalies.
Commonly confused with
- bug: A bug is a flaw written directly into source code, whereas a glitch is a fleeting operational malfunction during execution.
Word family
- glitchy (adjective): Experiencing frequent minor electronic or digital malfunctions.
Collocations
- audio glitch
- minor glitch
- technical glitch
- glitch out
Example sentences
- "A temporary audio glitch caused the speaker's voice to robotically freeze for several seconds." Online presentation issue
Memory hook
A GLITCH makes your system SLIP up briefly. A quick digital hiccup.
When not to use
Avoid using 'glitch' for permanent structural failures or complete hardware destruction.
Fun facts
- John Glenn helped popularize 'glitch' in his 1962 book describing electrical voltage surges during spaceflight.
Related words
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