hack

C1
Pronunciation
/hæk/
Noun
34 definition(s)
1 Definition

A tool for chopping.

2 Definition

A hacking blow.

3 Definition

A gouge or notch made by such a blow.

4 Definition

A dry cough.

5 Definition

A hacking; a catch in speaking; a short, broken cough.

6 Definition

A try, an attempt.

7 Definition

The foothold traditionally cut into the ice from which the person who throws the rock pushes off for delivery.

8 Definition

A mattock or a miner's pickaxe.

9 Definition

An expedient, temporary solution, such as a small patch or change to code, meant to be replaced with a more elegant solution at a later date.

10 Definition

An interesting technical achievement, particularly in computer programming.

11 Definition

A trick, shortcut, skill, or novelty method to increase productivity, efficiency or ease.

Example Sentences
  • Putting your phone in a sandwich bag when you go to the beach is such a great hack.
12 Definition

An illegal attempt to gain access to a computer network.

13 Definition

A video game or any computer software that has been altered from its original state.

14 Definition

Time check.

15 Definition

A swing of the bat at a pitched ball by the batter.

Example Sentences
  • He took a few hacks, but the pitcher finally struck him out.
16 Definition

A kick on the shins in football.

17 Definition

Confinement of an officer to their stateroom as a punishment.

18 Definition

A board which the falcon's food is placed on; used by extension for the state of partial freedom in which they are kept before being trained.

19 Definition

A food-rack for cattle.

20 Definition

A rack used to dry something, such as bricks, fish, or cheese.

21 Definition

A grating in a mill race.

22 Definition

A horse for hire, especially one which is old and tired.

23 Definition

A person, often a journalist, hired to do routine work.

Example Sentences
  • I got by on hack work for years before I finally published my novel.
24 Definition

Someone who is available for hire; hireling, mercenary.

25 Definition

A taxicab (hackney cab) driver.

26 Definition

A vehicle let for hire; originally, a hackney coach, now typically a taxicab.

27 Definition

A hearse.

28 Definition

(authorship) An untalented writer.

Example Sentences
  • Dason is nothing but a two-bit hack.
29 Definition

One who is professionally successful despite producing mediocre work. (Usually applied to persons in a creative field.)

30 Definition

A talented writer-for-hire, paid to put others' thoughts into felicitous language.

31 Definition

A political agitator. (slightly derogatory)

32 Definition

A writer who hires himself out for any sort of literary work; an overworked man; a drudge.

33 Definition

A procuress.

34 Definition

A small ball usually made of woven cotton or suede and filled with rice, sand or some other filler, for use in hackeysack.

Verb
24 definition(s)
1 Definition

To chop or cut down in a rough manner.

Example Sentences
  • They hacked the brush down and made their way through the jungle.
2 Definition

To cough noisily.

Example Sentences
  • This cold is awful. I can't stop hacking.
3 Definition

To withstand or put up with a difficult situation.

Example Sentences
  • Can you hack it out here with no electricity or running water?
4 Definition

To make a quick code change to patch a computer program, often one that, while being effective, is inelegant or makes the program harder to maintain.

Synonyms
frob tweak
Example Sentences
  • I hacked in a fix for this bug, but we'll still have to do a real fix later.
5 Definition

To accomplish a difficult programming task.

Example Sentences
  • He can hack like no one else and make the program work as expected.
6 Definition

To work with something on an intimately technical level.

Example Sentences
  • I'm currently hacking distributed garbage collection.
7 Definition

(by extension) To apply a trick, shortcut, skill, or novelty method to something to increase productivity, efficiency or ease.

Example Sentences
  • I read up on dating tips so I can hack my sex life.
8 Definition

To hack into; to gain unauthorized access to (a computer system, e.g., a website, or network) by manipulating code.

Synonyms
crack
9 Definition

(by extension) To gain unauthorised access to a computer or online account belonging to (a person or organisation).

Example Sentences
  • When I logged into the social network, I discovered I'd been hacked.
10 Definition

To strike an opponent's leg with one's hockey stick.

Example Sentences
  • He's going to the penalty box after hacking the defender in front of the goal.
11 Definition

To make a flailing attempt to hit the puck with a hockey stick.

Example Sentences
  • There's a scramble in front of the net as the forwards are hacking at the bouncing puck.
12 Definition

To swing at a pitched ball.

Example Sentences
  • He went to the batter's box hacking.
13 Definition

(soccer and rugby) To kick (a player) on the shins.

14 Definition

To strike in a frantic movement.

15 Definition

To strike lightly as part of tapotement massage.

16 Definition

To lay (bricks) on a rack to dry.

17 Definition

To keep (young hawks) in a state of partial freedom, before they are trained.

18 Definition

To make common or cliched; to vulgarise.

19 Definition

To ride a horse at a regular pace; to ride on a road (as opposed to riding cross-country etc.).

20 Definition

To be exposed or offered or to common use for hire; to turn prostitute.

21 Definition

To live the life of a drudge or hack.

22 Definition

To use as a hack; to let out for hire.

23 Definition

To use frequently and indiscriminately, so as to render trite and commonplace.

24 Definition

To play hackeysack.