noun

bug

/bʌɡ/ · say it: BUG

an error or flaw in software

In Technology & Computing

In more detail

1. (noun) a small insect

2. (noun) a fault or defect in a computer program or system

3. (verb) to annoy or bother someone

4. (verb) to place a hidden listening device in a room or telephone

Examples

1. A bug crawled across the kitchen floor.
2. The software has a bug that causes it to crash.
3. Stop bugging me about homework!

How to use bug

As a noun, 'bug' most commonly refers either to an insect (informal) or a software defect (technical). As a verb, 'bug' means to annoy persistently (informal, colloquial) or to secretly record conversations (more serious/legal context). The software sense has become dominant in modern usage.

Common phrases

bug in the system
software bug
debug code
bug someone about
bug out
bug report

Synonyms

insect · microorganism · defect · flaw · glitch

Word family

buggy (adjective) · debugger (noun) · debugging (noun) · bugged (adjective/past tense)

A common mistake

Learners often use 'bug' too formally when referring to simple insects; in technical contexts, they may forget that 'bug' implies a flaw that needs fixing, not just any problem.

Learn it for good

Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.

Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD

bug