pitch
pihch
Pitch (noun) means a persuasive presentation intended to sell or promote something. Example: “The startup gave a five-minute pitch to investors.”
noun
1
A persuasive presentation intended to sell or promote something.
"The startup gave a five-minute pitch to investors."
"Her sales pitch was so clear that the client signed straight away."
"The agency prepared a pitch for the new advertising campaign."
2
The playing field used in sports such as football, rugby, or cricket (chiefly British English).
"The players walked onto the pitch to warm applause."
"The groundsman marked the white lines on the pitch before the match."
"Heavy rain left the pitch too muddy to play on."
3
How high or low a sound is perceived to be.
"She sang the note slightly under pitch."
"A violin can reach a much higher pitch than a cello."
"The pitch of the siren dropped as the ambulance drove away."
4
A thick, sticky black substance derived from tar or crude oil.
"The road crew sealed the cracks with hot pitch."
"The old boat's wooden hull was sealed with black pitch."
"Pitch is sticky, so be careful not to get it on your clothes."
verb
1
To throw, especially a ball toward a batter.
"He pitched the ball right over the plate."
"The boy pitched the ball so hard that the batter missed it."
"She pitches for the school team every Saturday morning."
2
To promote or attempt to sell an idea or product.
"She pitched her novel to a dozen publishers before finding one."
"He pitched the idea to his boss during the Monday meeting."
"We pitched our app to several companies at the trade fair."
3
To set up or erect, as a tent.
"They pitched their tent by the riverbank before dark."
"We pitched the tent on flat ground away from the trees."
"Dad showed us how to pitch a tent without any help."
How to use pitch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA very flexible word: a sales presentation, throwing something, a sports field (British English), musical highness/lowness, setting up a tent, or sticky black tar.
UK vs US
British English uses "pitch" for a football/rugby/cricket field where American English usually says "field".
Common pairings
sales pitch
pitch a tent
perfect pitch
football pitch
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Word forms
- Plural
- pitches
- Third person singular
- pitches
- Past tense
- pitched, pight
- Comparative
- pitcher
- Superlative
- pitchest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The startup gave a five-minute _____ to investors.
Etymology
From Old English pic ("tar, pitch"), from Latin pix, related to Greek pissa. The sense of throwing or setting up developed separately in Middle English, and "pitch-black" (from the tar) later gave rise to the adjective meaning "very dark".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for pitch
See all rhymes for pitch →Frequently asked questions
What does “pitch” mean?
The word “pitch” means a persuasive presentation intended to sell or promote something. In plain terms, a very flexible word: a sales presentation, throwing something, a sports field (British English), musical highness/lowness, setting up a tent, or sticky black tar.
How do you pronounce “pitch”?
“Pitch” is pronounced pihch (/pɪt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “pitch” in a sentence?
Here is “pitch” used in a sentence: “The startup gave a five-minute pitch to investors.”
What part of speech is “pitch”?
Depending on how it is used, “pitch” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “pitch” come from?
The word “pitch” comes from Latin.
Is “pitch” a common word?
“Pitch” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “pitch” have?
“Pitch” has 7 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a persuasive presentation intended to sell or promote something.
What is an elevator pitch?
An elevator pitch is a very short sales pitch — brief enough to deliver during a lift ride, typically 30 to 60 seconds. It boils an idea, product, or yourself down to the most compelling essentials, aiming to spark interest quickly and earn a longer conversation later.
What makes a good pitch?
A strong pitch is clear, concise, and tailored to its audience. It leads with the problem being solved, states the value plainly, backs claims with evidence, and ends with a specific ask. Confidence, a memorable hook, and anticipating objections all help turn interest into commitment.
What is an example of a pitch?
Common examples include a startup founder pitching investors for funding, a salesperson presenting a product to a client, a writer pitching an article to an editor, or a job seeker's personal pitch in an interview. Each aims to persuade someone to buy in.
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