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Hitchhike: meaning, definitions and examples

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hitchhike

 

[ ˈhɪtʃ haɪk ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

traveling by car

Hitchhiking is the act of obtaining a ride in a passing vehicle by signaling for it, often by raising one's thumb or standing by the roadside. It is commonly practiced by travelers seeking to reduce transport costs or by those who enjoy the adventure of traveling this way. Hitchhikers rely on the goodwill of drivers to stop and offer them a ride. Although hitchhiking can be associated with certain risks, it remains a popular method of travel in various parts of the world.

Synonyms

get a lift, ride share, thumb a ride

Examples of usage

  • She decided to hitchhike across the country.
  • He was hitchhiking when a friendly couple stopped to give him a ride.
  • They often hitchhiked during their summer road trips.

Translations

Translations of the word "hitchhike" in other languages:

🇵🇹 carona

🇮🇳 जिप्सी करना

🇩🇪 Trampen

🇮🇩 menumpang

🇺🇦 попутка

🇵🇱 autostop

🇯🇵 ヒッチハイク

🇫🇷 faire du stop

🇪🇸 hacer autostop

🇹🇷 otostop çekmek

🇰🇷 hitchhiking

🇸🇦 توصيل مجانًا

🇨🇿 stopování

🇸🇰 stopovanie

🇨🇳 搭便车

🇸🇮 avtoštop

🇮🇸 lúxus

🇰🇿 автостоп

🇬🇪 ჰიჩჰაიქინგი

🇦🇿 sözlüyü dəvət etmək

🇲🇽 hacer autostop

Etymology

The term 'hitchhike' emerged in the United States during the early 20th century, around the 1920s. It is derived from the word 'hitch', which originally referred to fastening something to a vehicle, combined with 'hike', suggesting a journey or travel. Hitchhiking became increasingly popular during the Great Depression when many people looked for ways to travel inexpensively. The practice gained a cultural significance, symbolizing freedom and adventure, especially among young travelers and those seeking an alternative to conventional transportation methods. Despite the changing societal perceptions over the decades, hitchhiking persists in various forms around the world today.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,514, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.