catch meaning and definition

CATCH noun

Definition of catch (noun)

1. a drawback or difficulty that is not readily evident
   • "it sounds good but what's the catch?"
   • synonyms: gimmick
2. the quantity that was caught
   • "the catch was only 10 fish"
   • synonyms: haul
3. a person regarded as a good matrimonial prospect
   • synonyms: match
4. anything that is caught (especially if it is worth catching)
   • "he shared his catch with the others"
5. a break or check in the voice (usually a sign of strong emotion)
6. a restraint that checks the motion of something
   • "he used a book as a stop to hold the door open"
   • synonyms: stop
7. a fastener that fastens or locks a door or window
8. a cooperative game in which a ball is passed back and forth
   • "he played catch with his son in the backyard"
9. the act of catching an object with the hands
   • "Mays made the catch with his back to the plate"; "he made a grab for the ball before it landed"; "Martin's snatch at the bridle failed and the horse raced away"; "the infielder's snap and throw was a single motion"
   • synonyms: grab, snap, snatch
10. the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal)
    • "the policeman on the beat got credit for the collar"
    • synonyms: apprehension, arrest, collar, pinch, taking into custody

CATCH verb

Definition of catch (verb)

1. discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
   • "She caught her son eating candy"; "She was caught shoplifting"
2. perceive with the senses quickly, suddenly, or momentarily
   • "I caught the aroma of coffee"; "He caught the allusion in her glance"; "ears open to catch every sound"; "The dog picked up the scent"; "Catch a glimpse"
   • synonyms: pick up
3. reach with a blow or hit in a particular spot
   • "the rock caught her in the back of the head"; "The blow got him in the back"; "The punch caught him in the stomach"
   • synonyms: get
4. take hold of so as to seize or restrain or stop the motion of
   • "Catch the ball!"; "Grab the elevator door!"
   • synonyms: grab, take hold of
5. succeed in catching or seizing, especially after a chase
   • "We finally got the suspect"; "Did you catch the thief?"
   • synonyms: capture, get
6. to hook or entangle
   • "One foot caught in the stirrup"
   • synonyms: hitch
   • antonym: unhitch
7. attract and fix
   • "His look caught her"; "She caught his eye"; "Catch the attention of the waiter"
   • synonyms: arrest, get
8. capture as if by hunting, snaring, or trapping
   • "I caught a rabbit in the trap today"
   • synonyms: capture
9. reach in time
   • "I have to catch a train at 7 o'clock"
10. get or regain something necessary, usually quickly or briefly
    • "Catch some sleep"; "catch one's breath"
11. catch up with and possibly overtake
    • "The Rolls Royce caught us near the exit ramp"
    • synonyms: catch up with, overtake
12. be struck or affected by
    • "catch fire"; "catch the mood"
13. check oneself during an action
    • "She managed to catch herself before telling her boss what was on her mind"
14. hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
    • "We overheard the conversation at the next table"
    • synonyms: overhear, take in
15. see or watch
    • "view a show on television"; "This program will be seen all over the world"; "view an exhibition"; "Catch a show on Broadway"; "see a movie"
    • synonyms: see, take in, view, watch
16. cause to become accidentally or suddenly caught, ensnared, or entangled
    • "I caught the hem of my dress in the brambles"
17. detect a blunder or misstep
    • "The reporter tripped up the senator"
    • synonyms: trip up
18. grasp with the mind or develop an understanding of
    • "did you catch that allusion?"; "We caught something of his theory in the lecture"; "don't catch your meaning"; "did you get it?"; "She didn't get the joke"; "I just don't get him"
    • synonyms: get
19. contract
    • "did you catch a cold?"
20. start burning
    • "The fire caught"
21. perceive by hearing
    • "I didn't catch your name"; "She didn't get his name when they met the first time"
    • synonyms: get
22. suffer from the receipt of
    • "She will catch hell for this behavior!"
    • synonyms: get
23. attract; cause to be enamored
    • "She captured all the men's hearts"
    • synonyms: becharm, beguile, bewitch, captivate, capture, charm, enamor, enamour, enchant, entrance, fascinate, trance
24. apprehend and reproduce accurately
    • "She really caught the spirit of the place in her drawings"; "She got the mood just right in her photographs"
    • synonyms: get
25. take in and retain
    • "We have a big barrel to catch the rainwater"
26. spread or be communicated
    • "The fashion did not catch"
27. be the catcher
    • "Who is catching?"
28. become aware of
    • "he caught her staring out the window"
29. delay or hold up; prevent from proceeding on schedule or as planned
    • "I was caught in traffic and missed the meeting"