catch
noun
1. a drawback or difficulty that is not readily evident
- it sounds good but what's the catch?
Similar word(s): gimmick
Definition categories: attribute, drawback
2. the quantity that was caught
- the catch was only 10 fish
Similar word(s): haul
Definition categories: quantity
3. a person regarded as a good matrimonial prospect
Similar word(s): match
Definition categories: person, adult, grownup
4. anything that is caught (especially if it is worth catching)
- he shared his catch with the others
Definition categories: object
5. a break or check in the voice (usually a sign of strong emotion)
Definition categories: communication, delivery, speech
6. a restraint that checks the motion of something
Similar word(s): stop
Definition categories: man–made, constraint, restraint
7. a fastener that fastens or locks a door or window
Definition categories: man–made, fastener, fastening, fixing, holdfast
8. a cooperative game in which a ball is passed back and forth
- he played catch with his son in the backyard
Definition categories: act, game
9. the act of catching an object with the hands
- Mays made the catch with his back to the plate
Similar word(s): grab, snap, snatch
Definition categories: act, touch, touching
10. the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal)
Similar word(s): apprehension, arrest, collar, pinch
Definition categories: act, capture, seizure
Sentences with catch as a noun:
- The catch of the perpetrator was the product of a year of police work.
- The player made an impressive catch.
- Nice catch!
- Good catch. I never would have remembered that.
- The kids love to play catch.
- Did you see his latest catch?
- He's a good catch.
- The fishermen took pictures of their catch.
- The catch amounted to five tons of swordfish.
- She installed a sturdy catch to keep her cabinets closed tight.
- There was a catch in his voice when he spoke his father's name.
- It sounds like a great idea, but what's the catch?
- Be careful, that's a catch question.
- I bent over to see under the table and got a catch in my side.
verb
1. discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
Definition categories: cognition, surprise
2. perceive with the senses quickly, suddenly, or momentarily
- ears open to catch every sound
- Catch a glimpse
Definition categories: perception, comprehend, perceive
3. reach with a blow or hit in a particular spot
Similar word(s): get
Definition categories: contact, hit
4. take hold of so as to seize or restrain or stop the motion of
- Catch the ball!
Similar word(s): grab
Definition categories: contact, clutch, prehend, seize
5. succeed in catching or seizing, especially after a chase
- Did you catch the thief?
Definition categories: contact, clutch, prehend, seize
6. to hook or entangle
Similar word(s): hitch
Definition categories: contact, attach
7. attract and fix
- Catch the attention of the waiter
Definition categories: contact, attract, draw, pull
8. capture as if by hunting, snaring, or trapping
Similar word(s): capture
Definition categories: contact, acquire, get
9. reach in time
- I have to catch a train at 7 o'clock
Definition categories: motion, board
10. get or regain something necessary, usually quickly or briefly
- Catch some sleep
- catch one's breath
Definition categories: possession, acquire, get
11. catch up with and possibly overtake
Similar word(s): overtake
Definition categories: competition
12. be struck or affected by
- catch fire
- catch the mood
Definition categories: change
13. check oneself during an action
- She managed to catch herself before telling her boss what was on her mind
Definition categories: social, check, contain, control, curb, hold, moderate
14. hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
Similar word(s): overhear
Definition categories: perception, hear
15. see or watch
- Catch a show on Broadway
Similar word(s): see, view, watch
Definition categories: perception, watch
16. cause to become accidentally or suddenly caught, ensnared, or entangled
Definition categories: contact
17. detect a blunder or misstep
Definition categories: cognition, discover, hear, learn, see
18. grasp with the mind or develop an understanding of
- did you catch that allusion?
- don't catch your meaning
Similar word(s): get
Definition categories: cognition, understand
19. contract
- did you catch a cold?
Definition categories: body, contract, get, take
20. start burning
Definition categories: weather, combust, conflagrate, erupt, ignite
21. perceive by hearing
- I didn't catch your name
Similar word(s): get
Definition categories: perception, hear
22. suffer from the receipt of
- She will catch hell for this behavior!
Similar word(s): get
Definition categories: perception, ache, hurt, suffer
23. attract; cause to be enamored
Similar word(s): becharm, beguile, bewitch, captivate, capture, charm, enamor, enamour, enchant, entrance, fascinate, trance
Definition categories: emotion, appeal, attract
24. apprehend and reproduce accurately
Similar word(s): get
Definition categories: creation, reproduce
25. take in and retain
- We have a big barrel to catch the rainwater
Definition categories: contact, accumulate, amass, collect, compile, hoard
26. spread or be communicated
- The fashion did not catch
Definition categories: contact, propagate, spread
27. be the catcher
- Who is catching?
Definition categories: competition, play
28. become aware of
Definition categories: cognition, find, see, witness
29. delay or hold up; prevent from proceeding on schedule or as planned
Definition categories: change, delay, detain
Sentences with catch as a verb:
- I hope I catch a fish. He ran but we caught him at the exit. The police caught the robber at a nearby casino.
- If he catches you on the chin, you'll be on the mat.
- If you leave now you might catch him. I would love to have dinner but I have to catch a plane.
- catch the bus
- I have to stop for a moment and catch my breath. I caught some Z's on the train.
- Be careful your dress doesn't catch on that knob. His voice caught when he came to his father's name.
- Push it in until it catches. The engine finally caught and roared to life.
- When the program catches an exception, this is recorded in the log file.
- I will throw you the ball, and you catch it. Watch me catch this raisin in my mouth.
- You're going to catch a beating if they find out.
- Everyone seems to be catching the flu this week.
- The bucket catches water from the downspout. The trees caught quickly in the dry wind.
- Well, if you didn't catch this time, we'll have more fun trying again until you do.
- Did you catch his name? Did you catch the way she looked at him?
- I have some free time tonight so I think I'll catch a movie.
- He managed to catch her attention. The enormous scarf did catch my eye.