Pronunciations (7)
-
/kæt͡ʃ/
Pronunciation notes
- Australia
- Received-Pronunciation
-
/kɛt͡ʃ/
Pronunciation notes
- obsolete
- Australia
- Received-Pronunciation
-
/kæt͡ʃ/
Pronunciation notes
- Australia
-
/kæt͡ʃ/
Pronunciation notes
- Canada
- US
-
/kɛt͡ʃ/
Pronunciation notes
- Canada
- US
-
/kɑt͡ʃ/
Pronunciation notes
- Southern-US
- obsolete
-
kæt͡ʃ
Noun
The act of seizing or capturing.
Usage- Countable
- Examples
-
The catch of the perpetrator was the product of a year of police work.
The act of catching an object in motion, especially a ball.
Usage- Countable
- Examples
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The player made an impressive catch.
Nice catch!
The act of noticing, understanding or hearing.
Usage- Countable
- Examples
-
Good catch. I never would have remembered that.
More examples (1)
"In that case," said Jeff, "I just thought of something else we need." He walked over to one of the stations that was selling household goods and bought a can opener. "Nice catch," said Lucy.
The game of catching a ball.
Usage- Uncountable
- Examples
-
The kids love to play catch.
Something which is captured or caught.
Usage- Countable
- Examples
-
The fishermen took pictures of their catch.
The catch amounted to five tons of swordfish.
More examples (1)
He mused on memorable catches: dolphin fish, marlin—the last weighing more than 500 pounds.
A find, in particular a boyfriend or girlfriend or prospective spouse.
Usage- broadly
- Colloquial
- Countable
- Examples
-
Did you see his latest catch?
He's a good catch.
More examples (2)
Mr. Alfred O'Shea, a tenorizing youth from Australia, sang several times at Queen's Hall, and may congratulate himself on being one of the ‘catches’ of the season. He sang airs from Italian and French operas, and also a number of Irish ditties—naturally, with a name like that and such an ingratiating McCormackian voice.
"Aaaugh! Just once, I wish I could be considered a catch by men younger than fifty..."
A stopping mechanism, especially a clasp which stops something from opening.
Usage- Countable
- Examples
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She installed a sturdy catch to keep her cabinets closed tight.
A hesitation in voice, caused by strong emotion.
Usage- Countable
- Examples
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There was a catch in his voice when he spoke his father's name.
A concealed difficulty, especially in a deal or negotiation.
Usage- Countable
- Synonyms
- Examples
-
It sounds like a great idea, but what's the catch?
Be careful, that's a catch question.
A crick; a sudden muscle pain during unaccustomed positioning when the muscle is in use.
Usage- Countable
- Examples
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I bent over to see under the table and got a catch in my side.
A fragment of music or poetry.
Usage- Countable
- Examples
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In the lightness of my heart I sang catches of songs as my horse gayly bore me along the well-remembered road.
More examples (1)
"'Fair Enslaver!'" cried Mr. Enderby. "You must know 'Fair Enslaver:' there is not a sweeter catch than that. Come, Miss Ibbotson, begin; your sister will follow, and I—" But it so happened that Miss Ibbotson had never heard 'Fair Enslaver.'
A state of readiness to capture or seize; an ambush.
Usage- Countable
- Obsolete
- Uncountable
- Examples
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You lie at the catch again: this is not for edification.
The common and the canon law […] lie at catch, and wait advantages one against another.
A crop which has germinated and begun to grow.
Usage- Countable
- Examples
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There was a good catch of rye and a good fall growth.
A type of strong boat, usually having two masts; a ketch.
Usage- Countable
- Obsolete
- Uncountable
- Examples
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More examples (1)
Fourteene miles Northward from the river Powhatan, is the river Pamaunke, which is navigable 60 or 70 myles, but with Catches and small Barkes 30 or 40 myles farther.
A type of humorous round in which the voices gradually catch up with one another; usually sung by men and often having bawdy lyrics.
Usage- Countable
- Examples
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Let us be jocund: will you troll the catch / You taught me but while-ere?
One night, I remember, we sang a catch, written (words and music) by Orlo Williams, for three voices.
The refrain; a line or lines of a song which are repeated from verse to verse.
Usage- Countable
- Examples
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The phrase repeated itself like the catch of a song.
The act of catching a hit ball before it reaches the ground, resulting in an out.
Usage- Countable
- Examples
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It was he who removed Peter Bowler with the help of a good catch at third slip.
A player in respect of his catching ability; particularly one who catches well.
Usage- Countable
- Examples
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[…] in the field he is all activity, covers an immense amount of ground, and is a sure catch.
The first contact of an oar with the water.
Usage- Countable
- Examples
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They are sitting up straighter, breaking their arms at the catch and getting on a terrific amount of power at the catch with each stroke.
A stoppage of breath, resembling a slight cough.
Usage- Countable
- Examples
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When a Scot pronounces water, better, or bottle—wa’er, be’er, or bo’le—the sound is precisely that of the catch; […].
The glottal stop or glottal catch is the sound used in English in the informal words uh-huh 'yes' and uh-uh 'no'.
Passing opportunities seized; snatches.
Usage- Countable
- Uncountable
- Examples
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the way it has been writ in, by catches, and many long intervals of interruption
A slight remembrance; a trace.
Usage- Countable
- Uncountable
- Examples
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We retain a catch of those pretty stories.
Verb
To capture, overtake. To capture or snare (someone or something which would rather escape).
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
-
I hope I catch a fish.
He ran but we caught him at the exit.
More examples (1)
The police caught the robber at a nearby casino.
To capture, overtake. To entrap or trip up a person; to deceive.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.
To capture, overtake. To marry or enter into a similar relationship with.
Usage- Dated
- Figurative
- Transitive
- Examples
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The public[…]said that Miss Bogardus was a suffragist because she had never caught a man; that she wanted something, but it wasn't the vote.
"She caught this blanquito guy from El Condado," and you immediately know "My god, all that money."
More examples (1)
As for Aspasia, concubinage with Pericles brought her as much honor as she could hope to claim in Athens.[…]from the moment she caught her man, this influential, unconventional woman became a lightning rod[…].
To capture, overtake. To reach (someone) with a strike, blow, weapon etc.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
-
If he catches you on the chin, you'll be on the mat.
More examples (1)
The visitors started brightly and had an early chance when Valencia's experienced captain David Albeda gifted the ball to Fernando Torres, but the striker was caught by defender Adil Rami as he threatened to shoot.
To capture, overtake. To overtake or catch up to; to be in time for.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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If you leave now you might catch him.
I would love to have dinner but I have to catch a plane.
More examples (2)
Allen Gregory DeLongpre: Did anyone catch the Charlie Rose the evening before last. Did you catch it? No, nothing?
For reasons I shan’t bore you with, I got them to induce me at 39 weeks, at 10am, with the epidural going in first, and it was all a dream. […] But it was all over in time for my daughter to catch the Nigeria v Argentina World Cup game that evening, during which she seemed to reckon everything was miles offside.
To capture, overtake. To discover and observe (someone or something while it takes some action or exists) (sometimes, but not always, with implications of 'unpleasantly' or 'unexpectedly').
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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He was caught in the act of stealing a biscuit.
Once he caught me gazing lingeringly and eagerly at him. He turned round with that mocking air he assumed when he wanted to hide his feelings.
To capture, overtake. To record, for example on film or tape.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
-
It's the very first time such an elusive bird has been caught on film.
He was caught on video robbing the bank.
More examples (1)
Lying in wait, camera at the ready, I managed to catch a hummingbird on video today, after being too slow getting my camera out yesterday.
To capture, overtake. To travel by means of.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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catch the bus
More examples (1)
The glare, the flies, while they waited, and he and the stationmaster put their heads together over the time-table, trying to find this other train, which, of course, they wouldn't catch.
After about a kilometer I caught a taxi to Santa Croce.
To capture, overtake. To become pregnant. (Only in past tense or as participle.)
Usage- Rare
- Transitive
- Examples
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Had Nancy got caught with a child? If so she would destroy her parent's dreams for her.
To seize hold of. To grab, seize, take hold of.
Usage- Dated
- Transitive
- Examples
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I caught her by the arm and turned her to face me.
Her aged Nourse, whose name was Glaucè hight, / Feeling her leape out of her loathed nest, / Betwixt her feeble armes her quickly keight […]
To seize hold of. To take or replenish something necessary, such as breath or sleep.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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I have to stop for a moment and catch my breath
I caught some Z's on the train.
To seize hold of. To grip or entangle.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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My leg was caught in a tree-root.
More examples (1)
So Abſalom took a Pride in his Beauty, and particularly in his long Hair. And Providence ſo orders it, that in his Rebellion againſt his Father [David], vvhen he had loſt the Day, this Hair in his Flight catches on the Bough of a Tree, vvhere Joab found and ſlevv him.
To seize hold of. To be held back or impeded.
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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Be careful your dress doesn't catch on that knob.
His voice caught when he came to his father's name.
More examples (1)
Orion hit a rabbit once; but though sore wounded it got to the bury, and, struggling in, the arrow caught the side of the hole and was drawn out. Indeed, a nail filed sharp is not of much avail as an arrowhead; you must have it barbed, and that was a little beyond our skill.
To seize hold of. To engage with some mechanism; to stick, to succeed in interacting with something or initiating some process.
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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Push it in until it catches.
The engine finally caught and roared to life.
To seize hold of. To have something be held back or impeded.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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I caught my heel on the threshold.
To seize hold of. To make a grasping or snatching motion (at).
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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He caught at the railing as he fell.
To seize hold of. To spread or be conveyed to.
Usage- Transitive
- of fire
- Examples
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More examples (1)
The Palace of Deiphobus aſcends / In ſmoaky Flames, and catches on his Friends. / Ucalegon burns next; the Seas are bright / VVith ſplendor, not their ovvn; and ſhine vvith Trojan light.
The fire spread slowly until it caught the eaves of the barn.
To seize hold of. To grip (the water) with one's oars at the beginning of the stroke.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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Stop gathering, in that gradual fashion, and catch the water sharply and decisively.
To seize hold of. To germinate and set down roots.
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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The seeds caught and grew.
To seize hold of. To contact a wave in such a way that one can ride it back to shore.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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If you are surfing a wave through the rocks, make sure you have a clear route before catching the wave.
To seize hold of. To handle an exception.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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When the program catches an exception, this is recorded in the log file.
To intercept. To seize or intercept an object moving through the air (or, sometimes, some other medium).
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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I will throw you the ball, and you catch it.
Watch me catch this raisin in my mouth.
To intercept. To seize (an opportunity) when it occurs.
Usage- Archaic
- Transitive
- Examples
-
she internally resolved henceforward to catch every opportunity of eyeing the hair and of satisfying herself,[…].
To intercept. To end a player's innings by catching a hit ball before the first bounce.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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Townsend hit 29 before he was caught by Wilson.
To intercept. To play (a specific period of time) as the catcher.
Usage- Intransitive
- Transitive
- Examples
-
He caught the last three innings.
To receive (by being in the way). To be the victim of (something unpleasant, painful etc.).
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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You're going to catch a beating if they find out.
To receive (by being in the way). To be touched or affected by (something) through exposure.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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The sunlight caught the leaves and the trees turned to gold.
Her hair was caught by the light breeze.
To receive (by being in the way). To become infected by (an illness).
Usage- Informal
- Transitive
- Synonyms
- Examples
-
Near-synonym: come down with
Everyone seems to be catching the flu this week.
To receive (by being in the way). To spread by infection or similar means.
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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Does the sedition catch from man to man?
More examples (1)
He accosted Mrs. Browne very civilly, told her his wife was very ill, and said he was sadly troubled to get a white woman to nurse her: "For," said he, "Mrs. Simpson has set it abroad that her fever is catching."
To receive (by being in the way). To receive or be affected by (wind, water, fire etc.).
Usage- Intransitive
- Transitive
- Examples
-
The bucket catches water from the downspout.
The trees caught quickly in the dry wind.
More examples (2)
the sails caught and filled, and the boat jumped to life beneath us.
And the Bolshoi Ballet Academy’s account of the Grand Pas Classique from “Paquita” […] exemplified the spectacular czarist ideal of ballet that has long since became widely accepted as “classical ballet.” […] It catches an American athleticism and energetic team spirit that still seem to smash European notions of ballet classicism, as does its dancers’ selfless manner and their practicelike costumes.
To receive (by being in the way). To acquire, as though by infection; to take on through sympathy or influence.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
-
She finally caught the mood of the occasion.
And the next thing I knew, I had caught feelings for her.
To receive (by being in the way). To be hit by something.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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He caught a bullet in the back of the head last year.
To receive (by being in the way). To serve well or poorly for catching, especially for catching fish.
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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The nets caught well, and Mr. Deeley reported it the best fishing ground he ever tried.
To receive (by being in the way). To get pregnant.
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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Well, if you didn't catch this time, we'll have more fun trying again until you do.
To take in with one's senses or intellect. To grasp mentally: perceive and understand.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
-
Did you catch his name?
Did you catch the way she looked at him?
To take in with one's senses or intellect. To notice, to detect.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
-
-You made a typo. -Ah, thanks for catching that.
More examples (1)
The B.C. Lottery Corporation commissioned two independent studies that found its voluntary self-exclusion program isn't always catching gamblers who've requested help in staying away.
To take in with one's senses or intellect. To take in; to watch or listen to (an entertainment).
Usage- Informal
- Transitive
- Examples
-
I have some free time tonight so I think I'll catch a movie.
More examples (1)
Tom Holland: Gong Xi Fa Cai! It's Tom Holland here. // Mark Wahlberg: And I'm Mark Wahlberg. Catch us in Uncharted this Chinese New Year at GSC. // Tom Holland: Gong Xi Fa Cai!
To take in with one's senses or intellect. To reproduce or echo a spirit or idea faithfully.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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You've really caught his determination in this sketch.
To seize attention, interest. To charm or entrance.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
-
No, a far more natural beauty caught him.
To seize attention, interest. To attract and hold (a faculty or organ of sense).
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
-
He managed to catch her attention.
The enormous scarf did catch my eye.
More examples (2)
a campaign that caught the whole nation's imagination
“A tight little craft,” was Austin’s invariable comment on the matron;[…]. ¶ Near her wandered her husband, orientally bland, invariably affable, and from time to time squinting sideways, as usual, in the ever-renewed expectation that he might catch a glimpse of his stiff, retroussé moustache.
Noun
a drawback or difficulty that is not readily evident
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
-
it sounds good but what's the catch?
the quantity that was caught
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
-
the catch was only 10 fish
a person regarded as a good matrimonial prospect
- Synonyms
anything that is caught (especially if it is worth catching)
- Broader terms
- Examples
-
he shared his catch with the others
a break or check in the voice (usually a sign of strong emotion)
- Broader terms
a restraint that checks the motion of something
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
-
he used a book as a stop to hold the door open
a fastener that fastens or locks a door or window
a cooperative game in which a ball is passed back and forth
- Broader terms
- Examples
-
he played catch with his son in the backyard
the act of catching an object with the hands
- Examples
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Mays made the catch with his back to the plate
he made a grab for the ball before it landed
More examples (2)
Martin's snatch at the bridle failed and the horse raced away
the infielder's snap and throw was a single motion
the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal)
- Broader terms
- Examples
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the policeman on the beat got credit for the collar
Verb
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
- Broader terms
- Examples
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She caught her son eating candy
She was caught shoplifting
perceive with the senses quickly, suddenly, or momentarily
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
-
I caught the aroma of coffee
He caught the allusion in her glance
More examples (3)
ears open to catch every sound
The dog picked up the scent
Catch a glimpse
reach with a blow or hit in a particular spot
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
-
the rock caught her in the back of the head
The blow got him in the back
More examples (1)
The punch caught him in the stomach
take hold of so as to seize or restrain or stop the motion of
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
-
Catch the ball!
Grab the elevator door!
succeed in catching or seizing, especially after a chase
- Broader terms
- Examples
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We finally got the suspect
Did you catch the thief?
to hook or entangle
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
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One foot caught in the stirrup
attract and fix
- Examples
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His look caught her
She caught his eye
More examples (1)
Catch the attention of the waiter
capture as if by hunting, snaring, or trapping
- Synonyms
- Examples
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I caught a rabbit in the trap today
reach in time
- Synonyms
- Examples
-
I have to catch a train at 7 o'clock
We barely made the plane
get or regain something necessary, usually quickly or briefly
- Examples
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Catch some sleep
catch one's breath
catch up with and possibly overtake
- Synonyms
- Examples
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The Rolls Royce caught us near the exit ramp
be struck or affected by
- Broader terms
- Examples
-
catch fire
catch the mood
check oneself during an action
- Examples
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She managed to catch herself before telling her boss what was on her mind
hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
- Broader terms
- Examples
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We overheard the conversation at the next table
see or watch
- Broader terms
- Examples
-
view a show on television
This program will be seen all over the world
More examples (3)
view an exhibition
Catch a show on Broadway
see a movie
cause to become accidentally or suddenly caught, ensnared, or entangled
- Broader terms
- Examples
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I caught the hem of my dress in the brambles
detect a blunder or misstep
- Synonyms
- Examples
-
The reporter tripped up the senator
grasp with the mind or develop an understanding of
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
-
did you catch that allusion?
We caught something of his theory in the lecture
More examples (4)
don't catch your meaning
did you get it?
She didn't get the joke
I just don't get him
come down with
- Examples
-
did you catch a cold?
start burning
- Broader terms
- Examples
-
The fire caught
perceive by hearing
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
-
I didn't catch your name
She didn't get his name when they met the first time
suffer from the receipt of
- Synonyms
- Examples
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She will catch hell for this behavior!
attract; cause to be enamored
- Examples
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She captured all the men's hearts
apprehend and reproduce accurately
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
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She really caught the spirit of the place in her drawings
She got the mood just right in her photographs
take in and retain
- Examples
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We have a big barrel to catch the rainwater
spread or be communicated
- Examples
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The fashion did not catch
be the catcher
- Broader terms
- Examples
-
Who is catching?
become aware of
- Examples
-
he caught her staring out the window
delay or hold up; prevent from proceeding on schedule or as planned
- Examples
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I was caught in traffic and missed the meeting