part of speech: verb
inflections: catches, catching, caught
definition 1: to get control of (someone or something moving away); capture.
- The cat tried to catch the mouse.
- The child let go of the balloon and no one could catch it.
- The police caught the men who robbed the bank.
synonyms: capture, seize, take
antonyms: lose
definition 2: to take hold of (someone or something that is falling or thrown).
- I will catch you if you fall.
- I caught the ball in my left hand.
synonyms: grab
antonyms: miss
definition 3: to discover and surprise suddenly.
- The park ranger caught us littering.
synonyms: surprise
definition 4: to get aboard in time to ride.
- I caught the last bus home.
synonyms: board
antonyms: miss
definition 5: to become ill with.
- My father caught the flu.
synonyms: contract, get
definition 6: to get the attention of; attract.
- This hat will catch his eye.
synonyms: attract, draw
antonyms: lose
definition 7: to become gripped, fastened, or trapped.
- His coat caught in the door.
synonyms: stick
definition 8: to begin to burn.
- They waited for the wood to catch on fire.
synonyms: kindle
definition 9: to play the position of catcher in baseball or softball.
phrase: catch up
part of speech: noun
definition 1: an act of catching.
- The ball was hit hard, but the fielder made the catch.
synonyms: grasp, seizure
antonyms: miss
definition 2: a thing or the amount that is caught.
- The lucky fisherman brought in a big catch.
synonyms: take
definition 3: a thing that takes hold of something and slows or stops its motion; latch.
- The catch was broken and the door would not close.
synonyms: bolt, fastener, latch
definition 4: a hidden trick or flaw in something.
- When someone offers you a free car, there must be a catch.
synonyms: hitch
