hitched

Hitched is the past tense and past participle of the verb hitch. The primary senses involve fastening or attaching something: to hitch a wagon or trailer to a vehicle, to hitch a rope to a post, or to hitch a horse to a cart. In this usage, hitching refers to a mechanical connection designed to secure or tow objects. The noun hitch can denote the device used for such connections, such as a tow hitch, or a snag or obstacle in a plan.

In informal usage, hitched also means married. The phrase get hitched is common in both British and American English and refers to entering into marriage. This sense emphasizes a union or commitment rather than ceremonial details; alternatives include get married or tie the knot.

Hitched can also describe obtaining transportation, as in hitched a ride, meaning to travel by obtaining a ride from someone. The expression without a hitch describes something that proceeds smoothly, while there is a hitch indicating a small problem or delay.

Etymology-wise, hitch derives from the core sense of attaching or fastening objects. Over time, the word expanded to cover related acts of securing or joining, the acquisition of transportation, and colloquial references to marriage. Today, hitched is widely understood in both formal and informal contexts, though the marriage sense remains more common in casual speech.