Definition of Catch

Noun

  • the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal)
    "the policeman on the beat got credit for the collar"
    - taking into custody
  • 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"
  • a cooperative game in which a ball is passed back and forth
    "he played catch with his son in the backyard"
  • a fastener that fastens or locks a door or window
  • a restraint that checks the motion of something
    "he used a book as a stop to hold the door open"
  • a break or check in the voice (usually a sign of strong emotion)
  • anything that is caught (especially if it is worth catching)
    "he shared his catch with the others"
  • a person regarded as a good matrimonial prospect
  • the quantity that was caught
    "the catch was only 10 fish"
  • a drawback or difficulty that is not readily evident
    "it sounds good but what's the catch?"

Verb

  • delay or hold up
    prevent from proceeding on schedule or as planned
    "I was caught in traffic and missed the meeting"
  • become aware of
    "he caught her staring out the window"
  • be the catcher
    "Who is catching?"
  • spread or be communicated
    "The fashion did not catch"
  • take in and retain
    "We have a big barrel to catch the rainwater"
  • apprehend and reproduce accurately
    "She really caught the spirit of the place in her drawings"
    "She got the mood just right in her photographs"
  • attract
    cause to be enamored
    "She captured all the men's hearts"
  • suffer from the receipt of
    "She will catch hell for this behavior!"
  • perceive by hearing
    "I didn't catch your name"
    "She didn't get his name when they met the first time"
  • start burning
    "The fire caught"
  • contract
    "did you catch a cold?"
  • 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"
  • detect a blunder or misstep
    "The reporter tripped up the senator"
    - trip up
  • cause to become accidentally or suddenly caught, ensnared, or entangled
    "I caught the hem of my dress in the brambles"
  • 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"
    - take in
  • hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
    "We overheard the conversation at the next table"
    - take in
  • check oneself during an action
    "She managed to catch herself before telling her boss what was on her mind"
  • be struck or affected by
    "catch fire"
    "catch the mood"
  • catch up with and possibly overtake
    "The Rolls Royce caught us near the exit ramp"
    - catch up with
  • get or regain something necessary, usually quickly or briefly
    "Catch some sleep"
    "catch one's breath"
  • reach in time
    "I have to catch a train at 7 o'clock"
  • capture as if by hunting, snaring, or trapping
    "I caught a rabbit in the trap today"
  • attract and fix
    "His look caught her"
    "She caught his eye"
    "Catch the attention of the waiter"
  • to hook or entangle
    "One foot caught in the stirrup"
  • succeed in catching or seizing, especially after a chase
    "We finally got the suspect"
    "Did you catch the thief?"
  • take hold of so as to seize or restrain or stop the motion of
    "Catch the ball!"
    "Grab the elevator door!"
    - take hold of
  • 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"
  • 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"
    - pick up
  • 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"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

Word games points for the Catch

  • Scrabble® score of the catch (12)
  • Word Chums® score of the catch (18)
  • Words With Friends® score of the catch (13)

Unscramble catch

13 unscramble word found using the letters catch.

ach act ah at cat catch ch cha chat ha hat ta tach