hitch

1 of 2

verb

ˈhich 

hitched; hitching; hitches

transitive verb

1

: to move by jerks or with a tug

hitching his chair closer to the table

2

a

: to catch or fasten by or as if by a hook or knot

hitched his horse to the fence post

b(1)

: to connect (a vehicle or implement) with a source of motive power

hitch a rake to a tractor

(2)

: to attach (a source of motive power) to a vehicle or instrument

hitch the horses to the wagon

c

: to join in marriage

got hitched

3

: hitchhike

hitched a ride into town

intransitive verb

1

: to move with halts and jerks : hobble

hitched along on her cane

2

a

: to become entangled, made fast, or linked

b

: to become joined in marriage

3

: hitchhike

hitched back home

hitcher noun

hitch

2 of 2

noun

1

: limp

had a hitch in his step

2

: a sudden movement or pull : jerk

gave his trousers a hitch

3

a

: a sudden halt : stoppage

a hitch in the performance

b

: a usually unforeseen difficulty or obstacle

The plan went off without a hitch.

4

: the act or fact of catching hold

5

: a connection between a vehicle or implement and a detachable source of power (such as a tractor or horse)

attached a trailer hitch to his pickup

6

: a delimited period especially of military service

serving a four-year hitch in the navy

7

: any of various knots used to form a temporary noose in a line or to secure a line temporarily to an object

8

: lift entry 2 sense 5b

catching a hitch into town

Synonyms

Verb

• buck
• hoick
• jerk
• jolt
• twitch
• yank

Noun

• booby trap
• catch
• catch-22
• gimmick
• gotcha
• joker
• land mine
• pitfall
• snag

Examples of hitch in a Sentence

Verb

hitch a trailer to a car

He hitched across the country last summer.

He hitched his way across the country last summer.

Noun

The plan went off without a hitch.

He went back to college after doing his hitch in the army.

a seven-year hitch at the newspaper

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Now hitched, John and Jane navigate a high-risk mission every week while also facing a new relationship milestone. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Dec. 2024

Now hitched, John and Jane navigate a high-risk mission every week while also facing a new relationship milestone. —Joe Otterson, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024

Noun

From hardside carry-on suitcases to packable blankets, these essentials will make both your holiday shopping and travel plans go off without a hitch. —Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 8 Dec. 2024

Ensuring these events go off without a hitch is critical. —Marcus Fowler, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English hytchen

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hitch

• Blackwall hitch
• clove hitch
• half hitch
• hitch a lift
• hitch a ride
• hitch one's wagon to
• hitch up
• rolling hitch
• timber hitch
• without a hitch

Kids Definition

hitch

1 of 2 verb

ˈhich 

1

: to move by jerks

2

: to catch, fasten, or connect by or as if by a hook or knot

hitch a horse to a rail

3

: hitchhike

hitcher noun

hitch

2 of 2 noun

1

: a jerky movement or pull

2

: an unexpected stop or obstacle

the plan went off without a hitch

3

: the connection between something towed (as a plow or trailer) and its mover (as a tractor, automobile, or animal)

4

: a knot used for a temporary fastening

5

: a period usually of military service

do a hitch in the army