catchup

1 of 4

noun (1)

catch·​up ˈke-chəp  ˈka- 

less common spelling of ketchup

: a seasoned pureed condiment usually made from tomatoes

catch-up

2 of 4

adjective

ˈkach-ˌəp 

ˈkech-

: intended to catch up to a theoretical norm or a competitor's accomplishments

catch-up

3 of 4

noun (2)

: the act or fact of catching up or trying to catch up (as with a norm or competitor)

had to play catch-up

also : an increase intended to achieve catch-up

catch up

4 of 4

verb

caught up; catching up; catches up

transitive verb

1

a

: to pick up often abruptly

the thief caught the purse up and ran

b

: ensnare, entangle

education has been caught up in a stultifying mythology

—N. M. Pusey

c

: enthrall

the … public was caught up in the car's magic

—D. A. Jedlicka

2

: to provide with the latest information

catch me up on the news

intransitive verb

1

a

: to travel fast enough to overtake an advance party

The soldier ran to catch up with his unit.

b

: to reach a state of parity (see parity sense 1) or of being able to cope

students who miss class have difficulty catching up

2

: to bring about arrest for illicit activities

the police caught up with the thieves

3

a

: to complete or compensate (see compensate sense 1) for something belatedly

catch up on lost sleep

b

: to acquire belated information

catch up on the news

Synonyms

Verb

• enmesh
• immesh
• ensnare
• ensnarl
• entangle
• entoil
• entrap
• mesh
• net
• snare
• tangle
• trap

Examples of catchup in a Sentence

Verb

a young idealist who got caught up in the political fanaticism of the times

completely caught up in opera ever since he saw La Traviata

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

That catch-up trade was the subject of a recent column that Cramer wrote exclusively for CNBC Investing Club members. —Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 19 May 2025

Farmer Colton Tells His Ladies He's 'Indecisive,' and 1 Dater Chooses to Quit as a Result Farmer Colton had a fireside catch-up with his remaining women. —Dory Jackson, People.com, 9 May 2025

Noun

Those 55 and older can contribute an additional $1,000 as a catch-up contribution. —Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2023

Next week's rain potential has shifted slower, so the deficit should grow until potential activity Thu-Sat for a stronger catch-up attempt. —David Streit, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2023

Verb

Twenty-five years later, secrets from that era unravel in a SoCal arts school and her dark past catches up with her. —Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025

David Adelman revels in more involved role in Nuggets’ defense as interim coach Is Thunder’s depth catching up with Nuggets late in playoff series? —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 13 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

see catch entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1879, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1885, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

catchup

1 of 2

variant of ketchup

catch up

2 of 2 verb

1

: to pick up suddenly or quickly

caught the mouse up by the tail

2

: to go fast enough to get even with someone ahead

trying to catch up with the rest of the class

3

: to bring oneself up to date

have to catch up on my homework

catch up on the news