Hacked
/hækt/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo gain unauthorized access to a computer system, network, or data, typically for malicious purposes.
/hækt/
To gain unauthorized access to computer data.
The criminal tried to hack into the bank's system to steal money.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone broke into your digital home (your computer or phone) without permission. That's being hacked! They might be able to see your private messages or steal your information.
👶 For kids: When someone finds a secret way to get into your computer or phone without you saying it's okay, that's called getting hacked.
More Examples
His social media account was hacked, and someone posted offensive content.
How It's Used
"The company's servers were hacked, and customer data was compromised."
"Authorities are investigating the recent attempts to hack government websites."
To modify or alter something, often a piece of technology, in an innovative or unconventional way.
/hækt/
To modify or manipulate something, often in a clever or skillful way.
She hacked the game to give herself unlimited lives.
💡 Simply: Imagine you find a clever way to change something to make it work better or do something cool. Like, maybe you found a way to upgrade your old phone! That's hacking, in a fun, creative way!
👶 For kids: When you change something to make it better or work differently, like building something new from old parts, that's hacking.
More Examples
He hacked together a prototype for the app in a weekend.
How It's Used
"The programmer hacked together a solution to the problem in a few hours."
"I hacked an old laptop into a media server."
To cut or chop something roughly and with force.
/hækt/
To cut or chop something roughly.
The woodcutter hacked through the thick brush.
💡 Simply: Like when you chop vegetables in a rough way.
👶 For kids: To chop something into pieces.
More Examples
He hacked the meat into small chunks.
How It's Used
"The chef hacked the vegetables into smaller pieces."
"The knight hacked at the enemy with his sword."
Idioms & expressions
hack away at something
To cut or chop something repeatedly or vigorously.
"The gardener hacked away at the overgrown weeds with a machete."
life hack
A tip or technique designed to simplify a task or increase efficiency.
"Using vinegar to clean your shower is a great life hack."
From Middle English hakken, from Old English *haccian ('to chop, cut'), akin to Old High German hackōn ('to hack, chop'). The computing sense developed in the mid-20th century, initially meaning to modify software or hardware in an ingenious way, then evolving to include unauthorized access.
Originally referred to rough cutting, the computing sense emerged in the 1960s at MIT, describing clever coding and modifications to computer systems.
Memory tip
Think of a burglar breaking *into* a house (the computer system) to steal data (the valuables).
Word Origin
"to chop, cut"