catch

verb

\ ˈkach

, ˈkech\

caught\ ˈkȯt

also ˈkät \; catching

Definition of catch

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to capture or seize especially after pursuit catch a thief

b : to take or entangle in or as if in a snare catch fish in a net

c : deceive

d : to discover unexpectedly : find caught in the act

e : to check (oneself) suddenly or momentarily He started to say the wrong thing but quickly caught himself.

f : to become suddenly aware of caught me looking at him

2a : to take hold of : seize He caught her by the arm as she tripped.

b : to affect suddenly The announcement caught me by surprise.

c : to grasp and hold on to (something in motion) catch a fly ball

d : to avail oneself of : take caught the first opportunity to leave

e : to obtain through effort : get catch a ride

f : to overtake unexpectedly —usually used in the passive was caught in a storm

g : to get entangled catch a sleeve on a nail

3 : to become affected by: such as

a : contract catch a cold

b : to respond sympathetically to the point of being imbued (see imbue sense 2) with catch the spirit of an occasion

c : to be struck by He caught a bullet in the leg.

d : to be subjected to : receive catch hell

4a : to take in and retain a barrel to catch rainwater

b : fasten catch back a curtain

5 : to take or get usually momentarily or quickly catch a glimpse of a friend catch a nap

6a : overtake catch the leader in a race

b : to get aboard in time catch the bus

7 : to attract and hold : arrest, engage caught their attention The glint of the gold in each case caught my eye, you see.— Arthur Conan Doyle

8 : to make contact with : strike The pitch caught him in the back.

9a : to grasp by the senses or the mind you catch what I mean? didn't catch the name

b : to apprehend and fix by artistic means The new portrait catches her likeness perfectly.

10a : see, watch catch a game on TV

b : to listen to caught the last part of the concert

11 : to serve as a catcher for in baseball caught both ends of the doubleheader

12 : to meet with catch you later

intransitive verb

1 : to grasp hastily or try to grasp

2 : to become caught The kite caught in the tree branches.

3 : to catch fire

4 : to play the position of catcher on a baseball team

5 : kick over the engine caught

catch a crab

: to fail to raise an oar clear of the water on recovery of a stroke

catch dead

: to find or see at any time —used in strongly negative constructions wouldn't be caught dead in that shirt

catch fire

1 : to become ignited

2 : to become fired with enthusiasm

3 : to increase greatly in scope, popularity, interest, or effectiveness this stock has not caught fire—yet — Forbes

catch it

: to incur blame, reprimand, or punishment He'll really catch it from the boss if he's late again.

catch one's breath

: to rest long enough to restore normal breathing broadly : to rest after a period of intense activity

catch

noun

Definition of catch (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : something caught especially : the total quantity caught at one time a large catch of fish

2a : the act, action, or fact of catching The shortstop made a tough catch.

b : a game in which a ball is thrown and caught played catch with his dad

3 : something that checks or holds immovable a safety catch

4 : one worth catching especially as a spouse

5 : a round for three or more unaccompanied usually male voices often with suggestive or obscene lyrics

6 : fragment, snatch remembered only catches of the song

7 : a concealed difficulty or complication there must be a catch

8 : a momentary audible break in the voice or breath

catch

Definition of catch

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