catch on

verb

caught on; catching on; catches on

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

Synonyms of catch on

• realize
• discover
• see
• get on (to)
• hear
• learn

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

The two were caught on camera by fellow passengers who were filming while the plane was on the runway preparing for takeoff. —Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026

Glantz remained upright at his otherwise empty table, and his nonchalant noshing was caught on a CNN livestream of the room. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026

There were several vehicles impacted but those vehicles did not catch on fire. —Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026

This can happen due to your natural hair texture, dryness, or environmental stressors like wind, friction from your pillowcase, or pollution—your cuticles can catch on each other like Velcro, Small says, causing tangles. —Sarah Felbin, Allure, 26 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for catch on

• anton
• argon
• axon
• baronne
• baryon
• baton
• boron
• buisson
• bygone
• capon
• cardon
• chiffon

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