catching
0 antonyms and opposites of catching, grouped by meaning.
Adj — Able to spread from person to person; contagious.
Frequently asked questions
What does “catching” mean?
The word “catching” means able to spread from person to person; contagious. In plain terms, contagious (for illnesses) or appealing and memorable (for tunes, ideas, or moods).
How do you pronounce “catching”?
“Catching” is pronounced KAT-shihng (/ˈkæt͡ʃɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “catching” in a sentence?
Here is “catching” used in a sentence: “Keep your distance — this flu is really catching.”
What is another word for “catching”?
Words with a similar meaning to “catching” include taking.
What part of speech is “catching”?
“Catching” is an adjective.
Is “catching” a common word?
“Catching” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “catching” have?
“Catching” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: able to spread from person to person; contagious.
What is the difference between catching and contagious?
In its illness sense, catching means able to spread from person to person, which is exactly what contagious means. Catching is the more everyday, informal word, while contagious is more formal and common in medical contexts. Both describe something that can pass to others.
What is the difference between catching and catchy?
Catching, in one of its senses, means attractive and memorable, much like catchy. Catchy is now the more common word for a tune or slogan that sticks in the mind, while catching is used more often in the sense of an illness that spreads. For a memorable song, most people say catchy.
Can catching describe things other than illnesses?
Yes. Besides meaning contagious, catching can describe moods and behaviours that spread easily, as in "her enthusiasm was catching" or "laughter is catching." It can also mean attractive and memorable, close in sense to catchy.
Is catching a formal or informal word?
In the sense of spreading from person to person, catching is informal and conversational, while contagious and infectious are the more formal or medical terms. Because it can be casual, it often appears in everyday remarks like "yawning is catching."