catch on
verb
caught on; catching on; catches on
1
: to become aware : learn
2
: to become popular
this idea has already caught on
Synonyms
Examples of catch on in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
At the half, Nabers had 10 catches on 10 targets for 188 yards and 2 scores.
—
Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2023
Little bits of lint immediately caught on the fabric, too.
—Allison Johnson, The Verge, 20 Sep. 2023
Two bears on an Alaska military base raided a Krispy Kreme doughnut van that was stopped outside a convenience store during its delivery route — and the crime was caught on camera.
—CBS News, 19 Sep. 2023
In June, a bear was spotted wandering around Tampa International Airport, and earlier this month, a three-legged black bear was caught on tape stealing White Claw cans from a family’s fridge.
—Lizzy Rosenberg, Peoplemag, 18 Sep. 2023
Among many other suits that have been filed against Ye, one includes a paparazzi photographer who is suing Ye for assault, battery, and negligence after he was caught on camera grabbing her phone and throwing it into the street.
—Byorianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2023
The right-hander’s throwing plans had slowly progressed from playing catch on flat ground a few times a week to throwing on back-to-back days Friday and Saturday.
—Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 17 Sep. 2023
Keep in Mind The material can easily get caught on jewelry and might snag.
—Kaitlyn McInnis, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2023
The passenger car was going the wrong way when the driver hit a box truck straight on, causing the passenger car to catch on fire.
—Rae Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 10 Sep. 2023
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Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2023
Little bits of lint immediately caught on the fabric, too.
—Allison Johnson, The Verge, 20 Sep. 2023
Two bears on an Alaska military base raided a Krispy Kreme doughnut van that was stopped outside a convenience store during its delivery route — and the crime was caught on camera.
—CBS News, 19 Sep. 2023
In June, a bear was spotted wandering around Tampa International Airport, and earlier this month, a three-legged black bear was caught on tape stealing White Claw cans from a family’s fridge.
—Lizzy Rosenberg, Peoplemag, 18 Sep. 2023
Among many other suits that have been filed against Ye, one includes a paparazzi photographer who is suing Ye for assault, battery, and negligence after he was caught on camera grabbing her phone and throwing it into the street.
—Byorianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2023
The right-hander’s throwing plans had slowly progressed from playing catch on flat ground a few times a week to throwing on back-to-back days Friday and Saturday.
—Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 17 Sep. 2023
Keep in Mind The material can easily get caught on jewelry and might snag.
—Kaitlyn McInnis, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2023
The passenger car was going the wrong way when the driver hit a box truck straight on, causing the passenger car to catch on fire.
—Rae Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 10 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'catch on.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near catch on
Cite this Entry
“Catch on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catch%20on. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
catch on
verb1
: to realize something
they had been teasing me, and I never caught on
2
: to become popular
will the new style catch on
More from Merriam-Webster on catch on
Nglish: Translation of catch on for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of catch on for Arabic Speakers
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