catch catch /ˈkætʃ/

noun

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

verb

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