What does hiccuped mean?
To hiccup is to make a brief, sharp, involuntary sound in the throat, usually when the diaphragm contracts unexpectedly. The sound is caused by the sudden closure of the vocal folds and is especially familiar in children, though anyone can experience it. Hiccup is also used figuratively to describe a short, unexpected interruption: a transport service may have a hiccup, or a project may suffer a hiccup when a system fails temporarily. The expression is informal but widely understood, and it emphasizes that the problem is brief rather than permanent. As a verb, “hiccuped” describes either the physical sound itself or, figuratively, a moment of disruption.
verbTo make a short, involuntary sound in the throat caused by a sudden spasm of the diaphragm. In figurative use, to hiccup means to experience a brief, unexpected interruption or problem.
- To make a short, involuntary sound caused by a spasm of the diaphragm.
- To experience a brief, usually unexpected, interruption or problem.
"The child began to hiccup after drinking too quickly."
"He began to hiccup in the middle of his presentation."
"The project experienced a hiccup when the main server went offline."
A hiccup is a tiny involuntary sound, but in everyday speech it can also describe any brief interruption: “The launch had a hiccup” means the event was temporarily disrupted.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hiccuped come from?
The word comes from the older form “hiccough,” found in Middle English and reflecting an imitative sound made in the throat. The modern spelling “hiccup” became established as the usual form, while “hiccough” survives as a variant. The word’s development is based primarily on imitating the characteristic sound rather than on a more distant cognate.
Related word forms
How hiccuped is actually used
The usual spelling is “hiccup,” with “hiccupped” as the past tense and participle, though “hiccuped” is also accepted. The verb is commonly used in the informal figurative expression “hiccup” for a temporary setback.
Easily confused with hiccuped
Hiccough is an older spelling of the word; both forms are used, although hiccup is now more common.