glitch

noun

ˈglich 

1

a

: a usually minor malfunction

a glitch in a spacecraft's fuel cell

also : bug entry 1 sense 2

b

: a minor problem that causes a temporary setback : snag

2

: a false or spurious electronic signal

glitchy

ˈgli-chē

adjective

Did you know?

There's a glitch in the etymology of glitch—it may come from the Yiddish glitsh, meaning "slippery place," but that's not certain. Print use of glitch referring to a brief unexpected surge of electrical current dates to the mid-20th century. Astronaut John Glenn, in his 1962 book Into Orbit, felt the need to explain the term to his readers: "Literally, a glitch is a spike or change in voltage in an electrical circuit which takes place when the circuit suddenly has a new load put on it." Today, the word can be used of any minor malfunction or snag. If you’re a gamer you might even take advantage of a glitch that causes something unexpected, and sometimes beneficial, to happen in the game.

Examples of glitch in a Sentence

Glitches in the speaker's schedule caused some delays.

A technical glitch caused a temporary shutdown.

Recent Examples on the Web

Millions of people didn't receive their direct deposits today due to a glitch on your end, yet there's been no communication via email or social media. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025

But there have also been tech glitches and safety concerns during the company’s rollout of its robotaxis in several cities. —Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 5 Jan. 2025

With away fans being served free drinks at the Stadium of Light because of a technological glitch, with players and staff lining up for a triumphant post-match photo in front of supporters, the idea that a derby match could ever be a free hit was thoroughly subverted. —George Caulkin, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024

The technical glitches cropped up at about 1:30 p.m. Eastern. —Kate Gibson, CBS News, 27 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from Yiddish glitsh slippery place, from glitshn (zikh) to slide, glide; akin to Old High German glītan to glide — more at glide

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Kids Definition

glitch

noun

ˈglich 

: an unexpected usually minor problem

glitches in a new computer program