Vocabulary     

What does catch mean?

Definitions for catch
kætʃcatch

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word catch.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. catch, gimmicknoun

    a drawback or difficulty that is not readily evident

    "it sounds good but what's the catch?"

  2. catch, haulnoun

    the quantity that was caught

    "the catch was only 10 fish"

  3. catch, matchnoun

    a person regarded as a good matrimonial prospect

  4. catchnoun

    anything that is caught (especially if it is worth catching)

    "he shared his catch with the others"

  5. catchnoun

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

  6. catch, stopnoun

    a restraint that checks the motion of something

    "he used a book as a stop to hold the door open"

  7. catchnoun

    a fastener that fastens or locks a door or window

  8. catchnoun

    a cooperative game in which a ball is passed back and forth

    "he played catch with his son in the backyard"

  9. catch, grab, snatch, snapnoun

    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. apprehension, arrest, catch, collar, pinch, taking into custodyverb

    the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal)

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

  11. catchverb

    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"

  12. catch, pick upverb

    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"

  13. get, catchverb

    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"

  14. catch, grab, take hold ofverb

    take hold of so as to seize or restrain or stop the motion of

    "Catch the ball!"; "Grab the elevator door!"

  15. get, catch, captureverb

    succeed in catching or seizing, especially after a chase

    "We finally got the suspect"; "Did you catch the thief?"

  16. hitch, catchverb

    to hook or entangle

    "One foot caught in the stirrup"

  17. catch, arrest, getverb

    attract and fix

    "His look caught her"; "She caught his eye"; "Catch the attention of the waiter"

  18. capture, catchverb

    capture as if by hunting, snaring, or trapping

    "I caught a rabbit in the trap today"

  19. catchverb

    reach in time

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

  20. catchverb

    get or regain something necessary, usually quickly or briefly

    "Catch some sleep"; "catch one's breath"

  21. overtake, catch, catch up withverb

    catch up with and possibly overtake

    "The Rolls Royce caught us near the exit ramp"

  22. catchverb

    be struck or affected by

    "catch fire"; "catch the mood"

  23. catchverb

    check oneself during an action

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

  24. catch, take in, overhearverb

    hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers

    "We overheard the conversation at the next table"

  25. watch, view, see, catch, take inverb

    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"

  26. catchverb

    cause to become accidentally or suddenly caught, ensnared, or entangled

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

  27. trip up, catchverb

    detect a blunder or misstep

    "The reporter tripped up the senator"

  28. catch, getverb

    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"

  29. catchverb

    contract

    "did you catch a cold?"

  30. catchverb

    start burning

    "The fire caught"

  31. catch, getverb

    perceive by hearing

    "I didn't catch your name"; "She didn't get his name when they met the first time"

  32. catch, getverb

    suffer from the receipt of

    "She will catch hell for this behavior!"

  33. capture, enamour, trance, catch, becharm, enamor, captivate, beguile, charm, fascinate, bewitch, entrance, enchantverb

    attract; cause to be enamored

    "She captured all the men's hearts"

  34. catch, getverb

    apprehend and reproduce accurately

    "She really caught the spirit of the place in her drawings"; "She got the mood just right in her photographs"

  35. catchverb

    take in and retain

    "We have a big barrel to catch the rainwater"

  36. catchverb

    spread or be communicated

    "The fashion did not catch"

  37. catchverb

    be the catcher

    "Who is catching?"

  38. catchverb

    become aware of

    "he caught her staring out the window"

  39. catchverb

    delay or hold up; prevent from proceeding on schedule or as planned

    "I was caught in traffic and missed the meeting"

Wiktionary

  1. catchnoun

    The act of seizing or capturing.

    The catch of the perpetrator was the product of a year of police work.

  2. catchnoun

    The act of catching an object in motion, especially a ball.

  3. catchnoun

    The act of noticing, understanding or hearing.

    Good catch. I never would have remembered that.

  4. catchnoun

    The game of catching a ball.

    The kids love to play catch.

  5. catchnoun

    A find, in particular a boyfriend or girlfriend or prospective spouse.

  6. catchnoun

    Something which is captured or caught.

    The fishermen took pictures of their catch.

  7. catchnoun

    The amount which is caught, especially of fish.

    The catch amounted to five tons of swordfish.

  8. catchnoun

    A stopping mechanism, especially a clasp which stops something from opening.

    She installed a sturdy catch to keep her cabinets closed tight.

  9. catchnoun

    A hesitation in voice, caused by strong emotion.

    There was a catch in his voice when he spoke his father's name.

  10. catchverb

    To capture, overtake.

  11. catchverb

    To seize hold of.

  12. catchverb

    To intercept.

  13. catchverb

    To receive (by being in the way).

  14. catchverb

    To take in with one's senses or intellect.

  15. catchverb

    To seize attention, interest.

  16. catchnoun

    A concealed difficulty, especially in a deal or negotiation.

  17. catchnoun

    A crick; a sudden muscle pain during unaccustomed positioning when the muscle is in use.

    I bent over to see under the table and got a catch in my side.

  18. catchnoun

    A fragment of music or poetry.

  19. catchnoun

    A state of readiness to capture or seize; an ambush.

  20. catchnoun

    A crop which has germinated and begun to grow.

  21. catchnoun

    A type of strong boat, usually having two masts; a ketch.

  22. catchnoun

    A type of humorous round in which the voices gradually catch up with one another; usually sung by men and often having bawdy lyrics.

  23. catchnoun

    The refrain; a line or lines of a song which are repeated from verse to verse.

  24. catchnoun

    The act of catching a hit ball before it reaches the ground, resulting in an out.

  25. catchnoun

    A player in respect of his catching ability; particularly one who catches well.

  26. catchnoun

    The first contact of an oar with the water.

  27. catchnoun

    A stoppage of breath, resembling a slight cough.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Catchnoun

    Etymology: from the verb.

    And surely taught by his open eye,
    His eye, that ev’n did mark her trodden grass,
    That she would fain the catch of Strephon fly. Philip Sidney.

    Several quires, placed one over against another, and taking the voice by catches anthem-wise, give great pleasure. Francis Bacon.

    This is the tune of our catch, plaid by the picture of nobody. William Shakespeare, Tempest.

    Far be from thence the glutton parasite,
    Singing his drunken catches all the night. John Dryden.

    The meat was serv’d, the bowls were crown’d,
    Catches were sung, and healths went round. Matthew Prior.

    Both of them lay upon the catch for a great action; it is no wonder therefore, that they were often engaged on one subject. Joseph Addison, on ancient Medals.

    All which notions are but ignorant catches of a few things, which are most obvious to men’s observations. Francis Bacon.

    The motion is but a catch of the wit upon a few instances; as the manner is in the philosophy received. Francis Bacon.

    Fate of empires, and the fall of kings,
    Should turn on flying hours, and catch of moments. Dryden.

    Hector shall have a great catch, if he knock out either of your brains; he were as good crack a fusty nut with no kernel. William Shakespeare, Troilus and Cressida.

    It has been writ by catches, with many intervals. John Locke.

    We retain a catch of those pretty stories, and our awakened imagination smiles in the recollection. Joseph Glanvill, Scepsis, c. 3.

  2. To CATCHverb

    preter. I catched, or caught; I have catched or caught.

    Etymology: ketsen, Dutch.

    And when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. 1 Sam. xvii. 35.

    Others, to catch the breeze of breathing air,
    To Tusculum or Algido repair;
    Or in moist Tivoli’s retirement find
    A cooling shade. Joseph Addison, on Italy.

    I saw him run after a gilded butterfly, and, when he caught it, he let it go again; and after it again; and over and over he comes, and up again; and caught it again. William Shakespeare, Coriolan.

    A shepherd diverted himself with tossing up eggs, and catching them again. Spectator, №. 160.

    And they sent unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. Mar. xii. 13.

    These artificial methods of reasoning are more adapted to catch and entangle the mind, than to instruct and inform the understanding. John Locke.

    The curling smoke mounts heavy from the fires,
    At length it catches flame, and in a blaze expires. Dryden.

    But stopp’d for fear, thus violently driv’n,
    The sparks should catch his axletree of heav’n. Dryden.

    The mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak. 2 Sam. xviii. 19.

    Would they, like Benhadad’s embassadours, catch hold of every amicable expression? Decay of Piety.

    To catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him. Luke, xi. 54.

    They have caught up every thing greedily, with that busy minute curiosity, and unsatisfactory inquisitiveness, which Seneca calls the disease of the Greeks. Essay on Homer.

    For I am young, a novice in the trade,
    The fool of love, unpractis’d to persuade,
    And wanting the soothing arts that catch the fair,
    But, caught myself, lie struggling in the snare. Dryden.

    I’ve perus’d her well;
    Beauty and honour in her are so mingled,
    That they have caught the king. William Shakespeare, Henry VIII.

    I cannot name the disease, and it is caught
    Of you that yet are well. William Shakespeare, Winter’s Tale.

    Those measles,
    Which we disdain should tetter us, yet seek
    The very way to catch them. William Shakespeare, Coriolanus.

    In sooth I know not why I am so sad:
    It wearies me; you say it wearies you;
    But how I caught it, found it, or came by it,
    I am to learn. William Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice.

    The softest of our British ladies expose their necks and arms to the open air, which the men could not do, without catching cold, for want of being accustomed to it. Joseph Addison, Guardian.

    Or call the winds through long arcades to roar,
    Proud to catch cold at a Venetian door. Alexander Pope.

    Saucy lictors
    Will catch at us like strumpets, and scald rhimers
    Ballad us out of tune. William Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra.

    Make them catch at all opportunities of subverting the state. Joseph Addison, State of the War.

  3. To Catchverb

    To be contagious; to spread infection.

    ’Tis time to give them physick, their diseases
    Are grown so catching. William Shakespeare, Henry VIII.

    Sickness is catching; oh, were favour so!
    Your’s would I catch, fair Hermia, ere I go. William Shakespeare.

    Considering it with all its malignity and catching nature, it may be enumerated with the worst of epidemicks. Gideon Harvey.

    When the yellow hair in flame should fall,
    The catching fire might burn the golden cawl. Dryden.

    The palace of Deiphobus ascends
    In smoaky flames, and catches on his friends. Dryden.

    Does the sedition catch from man to man,
    And run among the ranks? Joseph Addison, Cato.

Wikipedia

  1. Catch

    Catch is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Brett Young. It was released on June 3, 2019 as the second single from his second studio album, Ticket to L. A..

ChatGPT

  1. catch

    Catch can be defined as the act of capturing or capturing hold of someone or something that is moving or in motion. It can also refer to seizing or gripping something that is thrown or tossed towards a person. Additionally, catch can also mean to intercept or trap an object in mid-air or to capture and restrain a person or an animal. Furthermore, catch can relate to a person's ability to comprehend or grasp a concept or information, or to notice or perceive something that was not initially obvious.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Catchverb

    to lay hold on; to seize, especially with the hand; to grasp (anything) in motion, with the effect of holding; as, to catch a ball

  2. Catchverb

    to seize after pursuing; to arrest; as, to catch a thief

  3. Catchverb

    to take captive, as in a snare or net, or on a hook; as, to catch a bird or fish

  4. Catchverb

    hence: To insnare; to entangle

  5. Catchverb

    to seize with the senses or the mind; to apprehend; as, to catch a melody

  6. Catchverb

    to communicate to; to fasten upon; as, the fire caught the adjoining building

  7. Catchverb

    to engage and attach; to please; to charm

  8. Catchverb

    to get possession of; to attain

  9. Catchverb

    to take or receive; esp. to take by sympathy, contagion, infection, or exposure; as, to catch the spirit of an occasion; to catch the measles or smallpox; to catch cold; the house caught fire

  10. Catchverb

    to come upon unexpectedly or by surprise; to find; as, to catch one in the act of stealing

  11. Catchverb

    to reach in time; to come up with; as, to catch a train

  12. Catchverb

    to attain possession

  13. Catchverb

    to be held or impeded by entanglement or a light obstruction; as, a kite catches in a tree; a door catches so as not to open

  14. Catchverb

    to take hold; as, the bolt does not catch

  15. Catchverb

    to spread by, or as by, infecting; to communicate

  16. Catchnoun

    act of seizing; a grasp

  17. Catchnoun

    that by which anything is caught or temporarily fastened; as, the catch of a gate

  18. Catchnoun

    the posture of seizing; a state of preparation to lay hold of, or of watching he opportunity to seize; as, to lie on the catch

  19. Catchnoun

    that which is caught or taken; profit; gain; especially, the whole quantity caught or taken at one time; as, a good catch of fish

  20. Catchnoun

    something desirable to be caught, esp. a husband or wife in matrimony

  21. Catchnoun

    passing opportunities seized; snatches

  22. Catchnoun

    a slight remembrance; a trace

  23. Catchnoun

    a humorous canon or round, so contrived that the singers catch up each other's words

  24. Etymology: [OE. cacchen, OF. cachier, dialectic form of chacier to hunt, F. chasser, fr. (assumend) LL. captiare, for L. capture, V. intens. of capere to take, catch. See Capacious, and cf. Chase, Case a box.]

Wikidata

  1. Catch

    In baseball, a catch occurs when a fielder gains secure possession of a batted ball in flight, and maintains possession until he voluntarily or negligently releases the ball. When a catch occurs, the batter is out, and runners, once they properly tag up, may attempt to advance at risk of being tagged out. Unlike in American football and other sports, neither secure possession for a time nor for a number of steps is enough to demonstrate that a catch has occurred. A fielder may, for example, appear to catch and hold a batted ball securely, take a few more steps, collide with a wall or another player, and drop the ball. This is not a catch. Umpires signal a catch with the out signal: a fist raised into the air, often with a hammering motion; if there is doubt about it, the umpire will likely shout "That's a catch!" On a close no-catch, the umpire will signal with the safe signal, which is both arms swept to the side and extended, accompanied by the call "No catch, no catch!" with an emphasis on the word "no". The fielder must catch the ball with his hand or glove. If the fielder chooses to use his cap, protector, pocket or any other part of his uniform in getting possession, it is not a catch. Therefore, a foul ball which directly becomes lodged in the equipment of the catcher is not considered a catch and hence not a foul tip.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Catch

    kach, v.t. to take hold of: to apprehend or understand: to seize after pursuit: to trap or ensnare: to take a disease by infection: to take up anything by sympathy or imitation.—v.i. to be contagious: to be entangled or fastened in anything;—pa.t. and pa.p. caught (kawt).—n. seizure: anything that seizes or holds: that which is caught: anything worth catching: a sudden advantage taken: a specially English form of musical composition, written generally in three or four parts, and in the canon form—originally synonymous with the round.—adj. Catch′able, that may be caught.—ns. Catch′er, one who catches; Catch′fly, a popular name of several plants belonging to the genus Silene, and of Lychnis Viscaria, whose glutinous stems often retain insects settling on them; Catch′ing, the action of the verb 'to catch:' a nervous or spasmodic twitching.—adj. infectious: captivating, attractive.—ns. Catch′ment-bās′in, a term applied to all that part of a river-basin from which rain is collected, and from which, therefore, the river is fed; Catch′penny, any worthless thing, esp. a publication, intended merely to gain money—also adj.; Catch′word, among actors, the last word of the preceding speaker—the cue: the word at the head of the page in a dictionary or encyclopædia: the first word of a page given at the bottom of the preceding page: any word or phrase taken up and repeated as the watchword or symbol of a party.—adj. Catch′y, attractive, deceptive, readily caught up, as an air, &c., fitful.—Catch at, to snatch at; Catch fire, to become ignited, to be inspired by passion or zeal; Catch hold of, to seize; Catch it, to get a scolding or the like; Catch me! an emphatic colloquial phrase implying that there is not the remotest possibility of my doing something suggested; Catch on, to comprehend: to catch the popular fancy; Catch out, to put a batsman out at cricket by catching the ball he has batted; Catch sight of, suddenly to get a glimpse of; Catch up, to overtake; Catch up, or away, to lay hold of forcibly. [From O. Fr. cachier—Late L. captiāre for captāre, inten. of capĕre, to take. See Chase.]

Dictionary of Nautical Terms

  1. catch

    A term used among fishermen to denote a quantity of fish taken at one time.

Matched Categories

British National Corpus

  1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'catch' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #2591

  2. Written Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'catch' in Written Corpus Frequency: #1493

  3. Nouns Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'catch' in Nouns Frequency: #2920

  4. Verbs Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'catch' in Verbs Frequency: #155

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

How to pronounce catch?

How to say catch in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of catch in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of catch in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

Examples of catch in a Sentence

  1. De Brunner:

    Our first responders will be put through their paces by mounting an operation to contain the area, evacuate the public, rescue and treat the wounded, manage a crime scene and, importantly, catch the people responsible.

  2. Lori Jo Hoekstra:

    He was most proud of his comedy. He never wanted the diagnosis to affect the way the audience or any of his loved ones saw him, norm Macdonald was Norm Macdonald. Norm Macdonald once wrote that' a joke should catch someone by surprise, it should never pander.' Norm Macdonald certainly never pandered. Norm Macdonald will be missed terribly.

  3. Govind Raj Pokharel:

    We have lost time and now we need to catch up.

  4. Trail Aaron:

    One sec, I ’ll catch up with you.

  5. Frederick Buechner:

    The grace of God means something like Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn't have been complete without you. Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid. I am with you. Nothing can ever separate us. It's for you I created the universe. I love you. There's only one catch. Like any other gift, the gift of grace can be yours only if you'll reach out and take it. Maybe being able to reach out and take it is a gift too.

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Popularity rank by frequency of use

catch#1#3635#10000

References

Translations for catch

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

  • أَمْسَكَ, مَسَكَArabic
  • залаві́ць, лаві́ць, злаві́цьBelarusian
  • резе, уловка, хващане, разбиране, улавяне, хващам, закачам се, улавям, схващамBulgarian
  • chytit, chytnout, zachytitCzech
  • fangeDanish
  • Fang, Haken, fangen, begreifen, bekommen, erwischen, verstehenGerman
  • xeEwe
  • pega, cuestión, trampa, traba, truco, capturar, atajar, captar, cazar, cachar, comprenderSpanish
  • harrapatuBasque
  • گرفتنPersian
  • koppi, saalis, huomio, salpa, kopittelu, löytö, haka, solki, koukku, ottaa kiinni, napata, ymmärtää, pyydystää, siepata, käsittää, tarttuaFinnish
  • touche, prise, conquête, hic, attraperFrench
  • beir arIrish
  • glacScottish Gaelic
  • עוקץ, תפיסה, תפס, תָּפַסHebrew
  • पकड़नाHindi
  • fogás, bökkenőHungarian
  • բռնելArmenian
  • fermaglio, trabocchetto, trucco, bottino, colpo, presa, conquista, fermaglio di sicurezza, trappola, fregatura, agguantareItalian
  • 捕る, キャッチボール, 捕まえる, 捕らえる, 分かる, 理解Japanese
  • დაჭერაGeorgian
  • 잡다Korean
  • گرتنKurdish
  • fänkenLuxembourgish, Letzeburgesch
  • कॅच, पकडणे, समझणेMarathi
  • vangen, vangst, valstrik, opvangen, haak, struikelblok, begrijpen, grijpen, snappen, halenDutch
  • fangstNorwegian Nynorsk
  • fangstNorwegian
  • złapać, dostrzegać, ogarniać, ogarnąć, łapać, schwytać, dostrzec, przechwycać, przechwycićPolish
  • apanhada, conquista, pegar, fecho, tranca, tranqueta, apanhadura, cilada, presa, entender, capturar, sacar, compreender, captarPortuguese
  • prindeRomanian
  • уло́в, добы́ча, пои́мка, захва́т, подво́х, поня́ть, расслы́шать, схва́тывать, пойма́ть, лови́ть, схвати́ть, понима́тьRussian
  • ujetiSlovene
  • hasp, fångst, kap, hake, fånga, fatta, uppfatta, gripaSwedish
  • dakaSwahili
  • лови́ти, пійма́тиUkrainian
  • پکڑناUrdu

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