Definition of GLITCH

glitch

Plural: glitches

Noun

  • A sudden, usually temporary, malfunction or error.
  • a fault or defect in a computer program, system, or machine
  • A problem affecting function.
  • An unexpected behavior in an electrical signal, especially if the signal spontaneously returns to expected behavior after a period of time.
  • A bug or an exploit.
  • A genre of experimental electronic music since the 1990s, characterized by a deliberate use of sonic artifacts that would normally be viewed as unwanted noise.
  • A sudden increase in the rotational frequency of a pulsar.

Verb

  • To experience an unexpected, typically intermittent malfunction.
  • To perform an exploit or recreate a bug while playing a video game.

Examples

  • A software glitch in Words With Friends once gave me two ’Q’s, which was a true challenge.
  • His character will glitch into the wall and out of the level.
  • My computer keeps glitching; every couple of hours it just reboots without warning.
  • Performing this glitch gives you extra lives.
  • They are still trying to work out all the glitches.

Origin / Etymology

Probably from Yiddish גליטש (glitsh), from German glitschig (“slippy”), from glitschen (“to slide, glide, slip”) + -ig (“-y”). Related to gleiten (“glide”). Cognate with French glisser (“to slip, slide, skid”).
Popularized in the 1960s, by the US space program. Attested in 1962 by American astronaut John Glenn, in reference to spikes in electrical current.

Scrabble Score: 12

glitch: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
glitch: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
glitch: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 14

glitch: valid Words With Friends Word