Meaning of 'catch'

noun

the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal)

Synonyms: apprehension

noun

the act of catching an object with the hands

Example: "The outfielder made the catch with their ungloved hand."

Synonyms: snap grab snatch

noun

a cooperative game in which a ball is passed back and forth

Example: "I played catch with my kids in the backyard."

noun

a fastener that fastens or locks a door or window

noun

a restraint that checks the motion of something

Synonyms: stop

noun

a drawback or difficulty that is not readily evident

Example: "it sounds good but what's the catch?"

Synonyms: gimmick

noun

a break or check in the voice (usually a sign of strong emotion)

noun

anything that is caught, especially if it is worth catching

Example: "We shared our catch with the others."

noun

a person regarded as a good matrimonial prospect

Synonyms: match

noun

the quantity that was caught

Example: "the catch was only 10 fish"

Synonyms: haul

verb

to contract

Example: "did you catch a cold?"

Synonyms: draw flex

verb

to delay or hold up

verb

to be struck or affected by

Example: "catch fire"

verb

to grasp with the mind or develop an understanding of

Example: "Did you catch that allusion?"

Synonyms: get

verb

to detect a blunder or misstep

Synonyms: trip up

verb

to discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly

Example: "I caught them stealing cookies again."

verb

to become aware of

verb

to be the catcher

Example: "Who is catching?"

verb

to catch up with and possibly overtake

Synonyms: overtake catch up with

verb

to succeed in catching or seizing, especially after a chase

Synonyms: capture

verb

to hook or entangle

Example: "I catch a lot of bluefish from this part of the dock."

Synonyms: hitch

verb

to cause to become accidentally or suddenly caught, ensnared, or entangled

verb

to spread or be communicated

Example: "The fashion did not catch"

verb

to reach with a blow or hit in a particular spot

Synonyms: get

verb

to take hold of so as to seize or restrain or stop the motion of

Synonyms: grab take hold of

verb

to capture as if by hunting, snaring, or trapping

Synonyms: capture

verb

to take in and retain

Example: "We have a big barrel to catch the rainwater"

verb

to attract and fix

Synonyms: get

verb

to apprehend and reproduce accurately

Synonyms: get

verb

to attract

Synonyms: entrance

verb

to reach in time

Example: "I have to catch a train at 7 o'clock"

Synonyms: make

verb

to suffer from the receipt of

Example: "They will catch hell for this behavior!"

Synonyms: get

verb

to perceive with the senses quickly, suddenly, or momentarily

Synonyms: pick up

verb

to see or watch

Example: "I wanted to catch the game before it ended."

Synonyms: watch view see take in

verb

to hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers

Synonyms: take in overhear

verb

to perceive by hearing

Example: "I didn't catch your name."

Synonyms: get

verb

to get or regain something necessary, usually quickly or briefly

verb

to check oneself during an action

Example: "They managed to catch themselves before telling their boss what was on their mind."

verb

to start burning