interjection Uncommon

gotcha

GO-chuh

Gotcha (interjection) means casual way of saying "I understand" or "I've got it". Example: “Meet me at six." "Gotcha.”

interjection

Casual way of saying "I understand" or "I've got it".

""Meet me at six." "Gotcha.""

"Gotcha, I'll send the file right away."

noun

A hidden problem or trap, often in a plan, contract, or piece of software, that catches people out.

"The contract had a gotcha buried in the fine print about renewal fees."

"That function has a nasty gotcha if you pass it an empty list."

A trick or surprise played on someone, especially one meant to embarrass them.

"The interview turned out to be a gotcha designed to make the politician stumble."

How to Use Gotcha

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither "understood" (casual reply) or a sneaky trap/trick hidden in something.

When to use it

Very informal — fine in speech and texts, avoid in formal writing.

Common pairings

gotcha moment gotcha journalism a real gotcha

Word Forms

gotchas plural

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"Meet me at six." "_____."

Etymology

A casual spelling of "got you", first written down this way in the 20th century.

· First attested 1900

Class of 1900 gotcha joined the language around 1900.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “gotcha” mean?

The word “gotcha” means casual way of saying "I understand" or "I've got it". In plain terms, either "understood" (casual reply) or a sneaky trap/trick hidden in something.

How do you pronounce “gotcha”?

“Gotcha” is pronounced GO-chuh (/ˈɡɑ.tʃə/ in IPA).

How do you use “gotcha” in a sentence?

Here is “gotcha” used in a sentence: “"Meet me at six." "Gotcha.".”

What part of speech is “gotcha”?

Depending on how it is used, “gotcha” can be an interjection and a noun.

Where does the word “gotcha” come from?

The word “gotcha” dates back to around 1900. A casual spelling of "got you", first written down this way in the 20th century.

Is “gotcha” a common word?

“Gotcha” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “gotcha” have?

“Gotcha” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: casual way of saying "I understand" or "I've got it".