# hack

> English word · Verb · IPA /hæk/ · frequency rank #6,578

## Definitions
1. To chop or cut down in a rough manner.
2. To withstand or put up with a difficult situation.
3. 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.
4. To accomplish a difficult programming task.
5. To work with something on an intimately technical level.
6. To apply a trick, shortcut, skill, or novel method to something to increase productivity, efficiency or ease.
7. To hack into; to gain unauthorized access to (a computer system, e.g., a website, or network) by manipulating code.
8. To gain unauthorized access to a computer or online account belonging to (a person or organisation).
9. To cheat by using unauthorized modifications.
10. To strike an opponent with one's hockey stick, typically on the leg but occasionally and more seriously on the back, arm, head, etc.
11. To make a flailing attempt to hit the puck with a hockey stick.
12. To swing at a pitched ball.
13. To kick (a player) on the shins.
14. To strike in a frantic movement.
15. To strike lightly as part of tapotement massage.

## Etymology
From Middle English hacken, hakken, from Old English *haccian (“to hack”), from Proto-West Germanic *hakkōn, from Proto-Germanic *hakkōną (“to chop; hoe; hew”), from Proto-Indo-European *keg-, *keng- (“to be sharp; peg; hook; handle”).
Cognate with Saterland Frisian häkje (“to hack”), West Frisian hakje (“to hack”), Dutch hakken (“to chop up; hack”), German hacken (“to chop; hack; hoe”), Danish hakke (“to chop”), Swedish hacka (“to hack; chop”), French hacher (“to chop”).
The computer senses date back to at least 1955 when it initially referred to creative problem solving. By 1963, the negative connotations of “black hat” or malicious hacking had become associated with telephone hacking (cf. phreaking).

## Easily confused with
- **hc** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hack-vs-hc)
- **HK** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hack-vs-hk)
- **has** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hack-vs-has)
- **had** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hack-vs-had)
- **hat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hack-vs-hat)
- **ham** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hack-vs-ham)
- **han** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hack-vs-han)
- **hay** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hack-vs-hay)
- **hal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hack-vs-hal)
- **hai** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hack-vs-hai)
- **hah** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hack-vs-hah)
- **har** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hack-vs-har)
- **haw** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hack-vs-haw)
- **HRC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hack-vs-hrc)
- **hap** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hack-vs-hap)
- **hag** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hack-vs-hag)
- **hao** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hack-vs-hao)
- **Haq** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hack-vs-haq)
- **hav** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hack-vs-hav)
- **hCG** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hack-vs-hcg)

## Common misspellings (6)
`ahck`, `hacck`, `hackk`, `hakc`, `hcak`, `hhack`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/hack