Catch Definition
catch
- noun
- a drawback or difficulty that is not readily evident; "it sounds good but what's the catch?"
- the quantity that was caught; "the catch was only 10 fish"
- a person regarded as a good matrimonial prospect
- anything that is caught (especially if it is worth catching); "he shared his catch with the others"
- a break or check in the voice (usually a sign of strong emotion)
- a restraint that checks the motion of something; "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; "he played catch with his son in the backyard"
- 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"
- the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal); "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; "She caught her son eating candy"; "She was caught shoplifting"
- 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"
- 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"
- take hold of so as to seize or restrain or stop the motion of; "Catch the ball!"; "Grab the elevator door!"
- succeed in catching or seizing, especially after a chase; "We finally got the suspect"; "Did you catch the thief?"
- to hook or entangle; "One foot caught in the stirrup"
- attract and fix; "His look caught her"; "She caught his eye"; "Catch the attention of the waiter"
- capture as if by hunting, snaring, or trapping; "I caught a rabbit in the trap today"
- reach in time; "I have to catch a train at 7 o'clock"
- get or regain something necessary, usually quickly or briefly; "Catch some sleep"; "catch one's breath"
- catch up with and possibly overtake; "The Rolls Royce caught us near the exit ramp"
- be struck or affected by; "catch fire"; "catch the mood"
- check oneself during an action; "She managed to catch herself before telling her boss what was on her mind"
- hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers; "We overheard the conversation at the next table"
- 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"
- cause to become accidentally or suddenly caught, ensnared, or entangled; "I caught the hem of my dress in the brambles"
- detect a blunder or misstep; "The reporter tripped up the senator"
- 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"
- contract; "did you catch a cold?"
- start burning; "The fire caught"
- perceive by hearing; "I didn't catch your name"; "She didn't get his name when they met the first time"
- suffer from the receipt of; "She will catch hell for this behavior!"
- attract; cause to be enamored; "She captured all the men's hearts"
- apprehend and reproduce accurately; "She really caught the spirit of the place in her drawings"; "She got the mood just right in her photographs"
- take in and retain; "We have a big barrel to catch the rainwater"
- spread or be communicated; "The fashion did not catch"
- be the catcher; "Who is catching?"
- become aware of; "he caught her staring out the window"
- delay or hold up; prevent from proceeding on schedule or as planned; "I was caught in traffic and missed the meeting"
"Catch" in song lyrics
See how catch is used in real songs:
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"now I'm dead in the middle of a catch 22"
69 Boyz — Catch 22 -
"Release my pole, see what I can catch"
Above the Law f/ Snow — Dose of the Mega Flex -
"Throwin words at they face to see if they bite when they catch"
Aesop Rock f/ Vast Aire (Cannibal Ox) — Attention Span
Words that rhyme with catch
Usage tips for "catch"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "catch" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for catch to find words that pair well.