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

The statement included a call to action for parents, the public and politicians to strengthen support for immunization, and for countries to honor their commitments to the Immunization Agenda 2030 through sustained investments in routine immunization programs and catch-up campaigns. —Maryanne Murray Buechner, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

The casual tea catch-up arrives just months before the first Oasis reunion shows since the band’s notorious split. —Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 22 Apr. 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

After a day of exploring Provence, guests can enjoy the hotel’s dramatic spa set in a former 18th century vaulted stone sable, meal celebrating local cuisine in one of the two gourmet restaurants, private tastings in the hotel’s private cellar, or catching up on some reading in the tranquil garden. —Josh Max, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025

Here, Chris and Min live in the converted garage abutting the home of Chris’s best friend Angela (Kelly Marie Tran) and Lee (Lily Gladstone), a lesbian couple caught up in a slew of expensive IVF treatments, the latest of which has failed. —Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 18 Apr. 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