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catch > define

noun

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

verb

  • Discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state.
    • usage: "She caught her son eating candy"; "She was caught shoplifting"
  • Perceive with the senses quickly, suddenly, or momentarily.
    • usage: "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"
  • Reach with a blow or hit in a particular spot.
    • usage: "the rock caught her in the back of the head"; "The blow got him in the back"; "The punch caught him in the stomach"
  • Take hold of so as to seize or restrain or stop the motion of.
    • usage: "Catch the ball"; "Grab the elevator door"
  • Succeed in catching or seizing, especially after a chase.
    • usage: "We finally got the suspect"; "Did you catch the thief"
  • To hook or entangle.
    • usage: "One foot caught in the stirrup"
  • Attract and fix.
    • usage: "His look caught her"; "She caught his eye"; "Catch the attention of the waiter"
  • Capture as if by hunting, snaring, or trapping.
    • usage: "I caught a rabbit in the trap today"
  • Reach in time.
    • usage: "I have to catch a train at 7 o'clock"
  • Get or regain something necessary, usually quickly or briefly.
    • usage: "Catch some sleep"; "catch one's breath"
  • Catch up with and possibly overtake.
    • usage: "The Rolls Royce caught us near the exit ramp"
  • Be struck or affected by.
    • usage: "catch fire"; "catch the mood"
  • Check oneself during an action.
    • usage: "She managed to catch herself before telling her boss what was on her mind"
  • Hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers.
    • usage: "We overheard the conversation at the next table"
  • See or watch.
    • usage: "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"
  • Cause to become accidentally or suddenly caught, ensnared, or entangled.
    • usage: "I caught the hem of my dress in the brambles"
  • Detect a blunder or misstep.
    • usage: "The reporter tripped up the senator"
  • Grasp with the mind or develop an understanding of.
    • usage: "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"
  • Contract.
    • usage: "did you catch a cold"
  • Start burning.
    • usage: "The fire caught"
  • Perceive by hearing.
    • usage: "I didn't catch your name"; "She didn't get his name when they met the first time"
  • Suffer from the receipt of.
    • usage: "She will catch hell for this behavior"
  • Attract; cause to be enamored.
    • usage: "She captured all the men's hearts"
  • Apprehend and reproduce accurately.
    • usage: "She really caught the spirit of the place in her drawings"; "She got the mood just right in her photographs"
  • Take in and retain.
    • usage: "We have a big barrel to catch the rainwater"
  • Spread or be communicated.
    • usage: "The fashion did not catch"
  • Be the catcher.
    • usage: "Who is catching"
  • Become aware of.
    • usage: "he caught her staring out the window"
  • Delay or hold up; prevent from proceeding on schedule or as planned.
    • usage: "I was caught in traffic and missed the meeting"
by WordNet 3.0 © 2006 by Princeton University
by Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary