catch
kach
Catch (verb) means to capture or seize something moving, such as a ball or a fleeing person. Example: “She caught the frisbee with one hand.”
verb
1
To capture or seize something moving, such as a ball or a fleeing person.
"She caught the frisbee with one hand."
"Police finally caught the suspect after a long chase."
"The goalkeeper managed to catch the ball just before it crossed the line."
2
To become infected with an illness.
"Wash your hands often, or you might catch whatever bug is going round the office."
"He caught a cold on the flight home."
"Stay warm and rest, or you will catch the flu from your brother."
3
To notice, understand, or hear something.
"Sorry, I didn't catch your name."
"She caught the mistake before the report was sent out."
"I could not catch what the announcer said because the station was so noisy."
noun
1
A hidden difficulty or drawback in an otherwise appealing deal or plan.
"The holiday was cheap, but the catch was that we had to pay for every meal."
"Free phone, no contract? There must be a catch somewhere in the small print."
"The offer sounded great, but there had to be a catch."
2
Something captured, especially fish.
"Our catch of the day was two trout, which we cooked on the beach."
"The boat returned to harbour with a modest catch of mackerel."
"The fishermen brought in a huge catch that morning."
How to use catch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo grab hold of something in motion, to pick up on something with your senses, or (as a noun) a hidden downside to a deal.
Common mistake
The past tense is "caught," not "catched."
Common pairings
catch a cold
catch someone's eye
what's the catch
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Word forms
- Plural
- catches
- Third person singular
- catches
- Past tense
- caught, catched
- Archaic forms
- catchest, catchedst, caughtest, catcheth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The goalkeeper managed to _____ the ball just before it crossed the line.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman cachier, a variant of Old French chacier — the same root that gave English "chase."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for catch
See all rhymes for catch →Frequently asked questions
What does “catch” mean?
The word “catch” means to capture or seize something moving, such as a ball or a fleeing person. In plain terms, to grab hold of something in motion, to pick up on something with your senses, or (as a noun) a hidden downside to a deal.
How do you pronounce “catch”?
“Catch” is pronounced kach (/kæt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “catch” in a sentence?
Here is “catch” used in a sentence: “Sorry, I didn't catch your name.”
What is another word for “catch”?
Words with a similar meaning to “catch” include seizure, capture, collar, snatch, grasp and haul.
What is the opposite of “catch”?
The opposite of “catch” — its antonyms — are drop and release.
What part of speech is “catch”?
Depending on how it is used, “catch” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “catch” come from?
The word “catch” comes from Old French. From Anglo-Norman cachier, a variant of Old French chacier — the same root that gave English "chase.".
Is “catch” a common word?
“Catch” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between 'catch' and 'grab'?
To catch is to seize something that is moving, often through the air, like a ball or a falling object — timing matters. To grab is to take hold of something suddenly and firmly, whether it is moving or not. You catch a thrown ball, but you grab a handle.
What is the past tense of 'catch'?
The past tense of 'catch' is 'caught,' not 'catched.' It is an irregular verb, so the same form works for the simple past and the past participle — 'she caught the ball' and 'she has caught the ball.' 'Catching' is the present participle.
What is the opposite of 'catch'?
When catch means to seize a moving object, its natural opposites are 'throw,' 'release,' and 'drop' — the actions of letting go rather than taking hold. If catch means to successfully grab something, then 'miss' is the opposite, meaning to fail to seize it.
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