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

Introduced in June 2025, the Unlock collection quickly caught on. — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 13 Nov. 2026

New Haven police released video of the incident, which was caught on the city’s cameras. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Nov. 2026

This included the controversial decision to show her death, as caught on camera, in the avalanche. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 13 Nov. 2026

Kuznetsov then proposed to Nikolau immediately after — and all of it was caught on camera. — Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 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