Meaning & Definition of Catch in English

1. A drawback or difficulty that is not readily evident

• "It sounds good but what's the catch?"

2. The quantity that was caught

• "The catch was only 10 fish"

3. A person regarded as a good matrimonial prospect

4. Anything that is caught (especially if it is worth catching)

• "He shared his catch with the others"

5. A break or check in the voice (usually a sign of strong emotion)

6. A restraint that checks the motion of something

• "He used a book as a stop to hold the door open"

7. A fastener that fastens or locks a door or window

8. A cooperative game in which a ball is passed back and forth

• "He played catch with his son in the backyard"

9. The act of catching an object with the hands

• "Mays made the catch with his back to the plate"

• "He made a grab for the ball before it landed"

• "Martin's snatch at the bridle failed and the horse raced away"

• "The infielder's snap and throw was a single motion"

10. The act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal)

• "The policeman on the beat got credit for the collar"

1. Discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly

• Catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

• "She caught her son eating candy"

• "She was caught shoplifting"

2. Perceive with the senses quickly, suddenly, or momentarily

• "I caught the aroma of coffee"

• "He caught the allusion in her glance"

• "Ears open to catch every sound"

• "The dog picked up the scent"

• "Catch a glimpse"

3. Reach with a blow or hit in a particular spot

• "The rock caught her in the back of the head"

• "The blow got him in the back"

• "The punch caught him in the stomach"

4. Take hold of so as to seize or restrain or stop the motion of

• "Catch the ball!"

• "Grab the elevator door!"

5. Succeed in catching or seizing, especially after a chase

• "We finally got the suspect"

• "Did you catch the thief?"

6. To hook or entangle

• "One foot caught in the stirrup"

7. Attract and fix

• "His look caught her"

• "She caught his eye"

• "Catch the attention of the waiter"

8. Capture as if by hunting, snaring, or trapping

• "I caught a rabbit in the trap today"

9. Reach in time

• "I have to catch a train at 7 o'clock"

10. Get or regain something necessary, usually quickly or briefly

• "Catch some sleep"

• "Catch one's breath"

11. Catch up with and possibly overtake

• "The rolls royce caught us near the exit ramp"

12. Be struck or affected by

• "Catch fire"

• "Catch the mood"

13. Check oneself during an action

• "She managed to catch herself before telling her boss what was on her mind"

14. Hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers

• "We overheard the conversation at the next table"

15. See or watch

• "View a show on television"

• "This program will be seen all over the world"

• "View an exhibition"

• "Catch a show on broadway"

• "See a movie"

16. Cause to become accidentally or suddenly caught, ensnared, or entangled

• "I caught the hem of my dress in the brambles"

17. Detect a blunder or misstep

• "The reporter tripped up the senator"

18. Grasp with the mind or develop an understanding of

• "Did you catch that allusion?"

• "We caught something of his theory in the lecture"

• "Don't catch your meaning"

• "Did you get it?"

• "She didn't get the joke"

• "I just don't get him"

19. Contract

• "Did you catch a cold?"

20. Start burning

• "The fire caught"

21. Perceive by hearing

• "I didn't catch your name"

• "She didn't get his name when they met the first time"

22. Suffer from the receipt of

• "She will catch hell for this behavior!"

23. Attract

• Cause to be enamored

• "She captured all the men's hearts"

24. Apprehend and reproduce accurately

• "She really caught the spirit of the place in her drawings"

• "She got the mood just right in her photographs"

25. Take in and retain

• "We have a big barrel to catch the rainwater"

26. Spread or be communicated

• "The fashion did not catch"

27. Be the catcher

• "Who is catching?"

28. Become aware of

• "He caught her staring out the window"

29. Delay or hold up

• Prevent from proceeding on schedule or as planned

• "I was caught in traffic and missed the meeting"