Standard Lemma guide

hiccups

noun · verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˈhɪkəps/
  • /ˈhɪkʌps/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɪkəps
  • CMU ARPABET: HH IH1 K AH0 P S Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

plural of hiccup

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: form-of, plural

Examples

  • There were several loud hiccups from the back of the room, and the class erupted in laughter.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The condition of having the spasms of hiccupping; singultus; diaphragmatic myoclonus.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: plural, plural-only, usually, with-definite-article

Examples

  • He has the hiccups – give him a glass of water.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

third-person singular simple present indicative of hiccup

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: form-of, indicative, present, singular, third-person

Examples

  • He shakes every time he hiccups.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

14 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Arabic: حَازُوقَة (ḥāzūqa) — the condition of having hiccup spasms
  • Czech: škytavka — the condition of having hiccup spasms
  • Dutch: hik — the condition of having hiccup spasms
  • Finnish: hikka — the condition of having hiccup spasms
  • French: hoquet — the condition of having hiccup spasms
  • Georgian: სლოკინი (sloḳini) — the condition of having hiccup spasms
  • German: Schluckauf — the condition of having hiccup spasms
  • Norwegian: hikke — the condition of having hiccup spasms
  • Scottish Gaelic: aileag — the condition of having hiccup spasms
  • Slovak: čkavka — the condition of having hiccup spasms
  • Slovak: štikútka — the condition of having hiccup spasms
  • Spanish: hipo — the condition of having hiccup spasms
  • Swedish: hicka — the condition of having hiccup spasms
  • Turkish: hıçkırık — the condition of having hiccup spasms