glitch

Everyday

1. A glitch is a small fault or problem that stops something working properly for a short time, especially in computers, games or machines. tree →
2. A glitch is a small, unexpected problem in a plan. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and technology lessons glitches happen in games, apps and websites; a «glitch» in a game may let a character walk through walls. In stories it shows something went a little wrong. Phrases: a technical glitch, a minor glitch, a computer glitch.

Examples

• A glitch in the game made my character fall through the floor. tree →
• The show was delayed by a technical glitch. tree →
• There was a glitch in the school's website, so we couldn't log in. tree →
• Apart from one glitch, the trip went perfectly. tree →
• The robot had a glitch and spun in circles. tree →
• The update fixed the glitch in the app. tree →
• The screen froze — just a little glitch. tree →

Note

Countable: a glitch, glitches (add -es). Informal, but fine in most writing. Smaller than a «breakdown» or «crash»; a glitch is usually short and minor.