catch on

verb

caught on; catching on; catches on
Synonyms of catch onnext

intransitive verb

1
: to become aware : learn
also : understand
didn't catch on to what was going on
2
: to become popular
this idea has already caught on

Examples of catch on in a Sentence

she caught on to the fact that they were planning a surprise party he finally caught on to the concept of phototaxis
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Courtney Janell Shaw, 47, was reportedly caught on camera placing multiple items on top of one another and scanning only one before exiting the store. Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026 One of the incidents was caught on video. Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026 Both incidents were caught on bystander footage, sparking mass protests across the country and bipartisan backlash. Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026 Palm fronds caught on fire and exploded and caught houses on fire. Erica Zora Wrightson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for catch on

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of catch on was in 1882

Cite this Entry

“Catch on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catch%20on. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

catch on

verb
1
: 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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