Definition of catch
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a : to capture or seize especially after pursuit
catch a thief
b : to take or entangle in or as if in a snare
catch fish in a net
c : deceive
d : to discover unexpectedly : find caught in the act
e : to check (oneself) suddenly or momentarily
He started to say the wrong thing but quickly caught himself.
f : to become suddenly aware of
caught me looking at him
2a : to take hold of : seize He caught her by the arm as she tripped.
b : to affect suddenly
The announcement caught me by surprise.
c : to grasp and hold on to (something in motion)
catch a fly ball
d : to avail oneself of : take caught the first opportunity to leave
e : to obtain through effort : get catch a ride
f : to overtake unexpectedly
—usually used in the passivewas caught in a storm
g : to get entangled
catch a sleeve on a nail
3 : to become affected by: such as
a : contract catch a cold
b : to respond sympathetically to the point of being imbued (see imbue sense 2) with
catch the spirit of an occasion
c : to be struck by
He caught a bullet in the leg.
d : to be subjected to : receive catch hell
4a : to take in and retain
a barrel to catch rainwater
b : fasten catch back a curtain
5 : to take or get usually momentarily or quickly
catch a glimpse of a friend catch a nap
6a : overtake catch the leader in a race
b : to get aboard in time
catch the bus
8 : to make contact with : strike The pitch caught him in the back.
9a : to grasp by the senses or the mind
you catch what I mean? didn't catch the name
b : to apprehend and fix by artistic means
The new portrait catches her likeness perfectly.
11 : to serve as a catcher for in baseball
caught both ends of the doubleheader
12 : to meet with
catch you later
1 : to grasp hastily or try to grasp
2 : to become caught
The kite caught in the tree branches.
3 : to catch fire
4 : to play the position of catcher on a baseball team
5 : kick over the engine caught
catch a crab catch dead catch fire catch it catch one's breath
: to fail to raise an oar clear of the water on recovery of a stroke
: to find or see at any time
—used in strongly negative constructionswouldn't be caught dead in that shirt
1 : to become ignited
2 : to become fired with enthusiasm
3 : to increase greatly in scope, popularity, interest, or effectiveness
this stock has not caught fire—yet — Forbes
: to incur blame, reprimand, or punishment
He'll really catch it from the boss if he's late again.
: to rest long enough to restore normal breathing broadly : to rest after a period of intense activity
catch
nounDefinition of catch (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : something caught especially : the total quantity caught at one time a large catch of fish
2a : the act, action, or fact of catching The shortstop made a tough catch.
b : a game in which a ball is thrown and caught
played catch with his dad
3 : something that checks or holds immovable
a safety catch
4 : one worth catching especially as a spouse
5 : a round for three or more unaccompanied usually male voices often with suggestive or obscene lyrics
7 : a concealed difficulty or complication
there must be a catch
8 : a momentary audible break in the voice or breath
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Time Traveler for catch
The first known use of catch was in the 13th century
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