glitch
B2Informal, widely used in technical and general contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A sudden, usually minor malfunction or fault in a system or machine, especially an electronic one.
Any minor problem, hitch, or unexpected set-back that causes temporary disruption, often in processes, plans, or events.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Originally from electronics/computing; now generalised. Implies a temporary, often puzzling fault that may resolve itself or be easily fixed. Not used for major, catastrophic failures.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning. Slightly more established in AmE due to earlier computing/space program usage, but now fully naturalised in BrE.
Connotations
Neutral to slightly technical. In both varieties, can carry a connotation of something annoyingly trivial yet disruptive.
Frequency
High frequency in both, especially in IT, media, and everyday problem-solving contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
There is/was a glitch in [the system].[Something] suffered/had a glitch.To glitch (verb) out.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A glitch in the matrix (pop culture ref.)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to unexpected problems in processes, IT systems, or logistics.
Academic
Used informally; in computer science, refers to a transient fault.
Everyday
Used for any minor, annoying problem with tech, plans, or events.
Technical
Precise term for a short-lived fault in an electronic system or signal.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The live stream keeps glitching during the important announcement.
- My phone glitched and deleted the message.
American English
- The software glitched right before I saved the file.
- The old video game cartridge glitches if you blow on it.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- There is a glitch in my computer game.
- We had a small glitch with the travel plans.
- A technical glitch caused the website to crash for an hour.
- Sorry for the delay; we're just fixing a minor glitch.
- The satellite transmission was interrupted by an unexplained electronic glitch.
- Despite a few bureaucratic glitches, the project was launched on time.
- Researchers attributed the anomalous data to a glitch in the simulation's rendering engine.
- The film's plot hinges on a temporal glitch that allows the protagonist to relive the same day.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a TV picture GLITtering and ITCHing with static - that's a GLITCH.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SYSTEM IS A SMOOTH PATH / A GLITCH IS A BUMP OR HOLE IN THE PATH.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation as 'глюк' in formal contexts (it's very slangy). 'Сбой' or 'неисправность' are safer. Don't use for major breakdowns ('поломка').
Common Mistakes
- Using 'glitch' for a serious, permanent failure (e.g., 'The engine exploded due to a glitch.' – incorrect). Overusing in formal writing.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the use of 'glitch' be LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal but widely accepted in technical and business communications. For highly formal writing, consider 'fault', 'malfunction', or 'anomaly'.
Yes, informally. E.g., 'The system glitched.' The adjective is 'glitchy'.
They are often used interchangeably. However, a 'bug' often implies a reproducible programming error, while a 'glitch' can be a more transient, one-off fault, sometimes with unknown cause.
Its modern popularity comes from 1960s US aerospace and computing jargon, though its ultimate etymology is uncertain (possibly from Yiddish 'glitsh' meaning 'slip').