Catch
/kætʃ/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo take hold of something that is moving or falling.
/kætʃ/
To seize or grasp something.
He caught the fly ball.
💡 Simply: To grab something quickly.
👶 For kids: To grab something!
More Examples
Did you catch the movie last night?
How It's Used
"The goalkeeper caught the ball."
"I caught the bus just in time."
To unexpectedly be affected by something, often negative.
/kætʃ/
To become affected by something.
She caught the flu from her brother.
💡 Simply: To get something unexpectedly, usually something bad like a cold.
👶 For kids: To get sick.
More Examples
The police caught the thief.
How It's Used
"I caught a cold."
"I caught him cheating."
The act of catching something, or something that has been caught.
/kætʃ/
Something caught.
The fisherman's catch was impressive.
💡 Simply: Something you have caught.
👶 For kids: Something you caught!
More Examples
It was a lucky catch.
How It's Used
"He had a good catch of fish."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
catch up
To reach the same point as someone else.
"I need to catch up on my work."
Old English *caccian, from Proto-Germanic *kakkōn. Related to words meaning 'to seize' or 'to hook'.
The word 'catch' has been used in a similar sense since Old English, though its applications and related phrases have expanded over time.
Memory tip
Think of a cat catching a mouse.
Word Origin
"to seize"