- a quick, involuntary inhalation that follows a spasm of the diaphragm and is suddenly checked by closure of the glottis, producing a short, relatively sharp sound.
- the condition of having such spasms: She got the hiccups just as she began to speak.
- a minor difficulty, interruption, setback, etc.: a hiccup in the stock market.
- to make the sound of a hiccup: The motor hiccuped as it started.
- to have the hiccups.
- to experience a temporary decline, setback, interruption, etc.: There was general alarm when the economy hiccuped.
- a spasm of the diaphragm producing a sudden breathing in followed by a closing of the glottis, resulting in a sharp sound
- the state or condition of having such spasms
- a minor difficulty or problem
- to make a hiccup or hiccups
- to utter with a hiccup or hiccups
