catch (n.)

  1. a drawback or difficulty that is not readily evident; it sounds good but whats the catch?

    [ Syn: gimmick ]

  2. the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal); the policeman on the beat got credit for the collar

    [ Syn: apprehension , arrest , collar , pinch , taking into custody ]

  3. the quantity that was caught; the catch was only 10 fish

    [ Syn: haul ]

  4. a person regarded as a good matrimonial prospect

    [ Syn: match ]

  5. anything that is caught (especially if it is worth catching); he shared his catch with the others'

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

  7. a restraint that checks the motion of something; he used a book as a stop to hold the door open

    [ Syn: stop ]

  8. a fastener that fastens or locks a door or window

  9. a cooperative game in which a ball is passed back and forth; he played catch with his son in the backyard'

  10. the act of catching an object with the hands; Mays made the catch with his back to the plate; he made a grab for the ball before it landed; Martins snatch at the bridle failed and the horse raced away; the infielders snap and throw was a single motion

    [ Syn: grab , snatch , snap ]

    catch (v.)

  1. discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state; She caught her son eating candy; She was caught shoplifting'

  2. get or regain something necessary, usually quickly or briefly; Catch some sleep; catch one's breath'

  3. catch up with and possibly overtake; The Rolls Royce caught us near the exit ramp

    [ Syn: overtake , catch up with ]

  4. be struck or affected by; catch fire; catch the mood'

  5. check oneself during an action; She managed to catch herself before telling her boss what was on her mind'

  6. hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers; We overheard the conversation at the next table

    [ Syn: take in , overhear ]

  7. see or watch; view a show on television; This program will be seen all over the world; view an exhibition; Catch a show on Broadway; see a movie

    [ Syn: watch , view , see , take in ]

  8. cause to become accidentally or suddenly caught, ensnared, or entangled; I caught the hem of my dress in the brambles'

  9. detect a blunder or misstep; The reporter tripped up the senator

    [ Syn: trip up ]

  10. grasp with the mind or develop an understanding of; did you catch that allusion?; We caught something of his theory in the lecture; dont catch your meaning; did you get it?; She didnt get the joke; I just dont get him

    [ Syn: get ]

  11. contract; did you catch a cold?'

  12. perceive with the senses quickly, suddenly, or momentarily; I caught the aroma of coffee; He caught the allusion in her glance; ears open to catch every sound; The dog picked up the scent; Catch a glimpse

    [ Syn: pick up ]

  13. start burning; The fire caught'

  14. perceive by hearing; I didnt catch your name; She didnt get his name when they met the first time

    [ Syn: get ]

  15. suffer from the receipt of; She will catch hell for this behavior!

    [ Syn: get ]

  16. attract; cause to be enamored; She captured all the mens hearts

    [ Syn: capture , enamour , trance , becharm , enamor , captivate , beguile , charm , fascinate , bewitch , entrance , enchant ]

  17. apprehend and reproduce accurately; She really caught the spirit of the place in her drawings; She got the mood just right in her photographs

    [ Syn: get ]

  18. take in and retain; We have a big barrel to catch the rainwater'

  19. spread or be communicated; The fashion did not catch'

  20. be the catcher; Who is catching?'

  21. become aware of; he caught her staring out the window'

  22. delay or hold up; prevent from proceeding on schedule or as planned; I was caught in traffic and missed the meeting'

  23. reach with a blow or hit in a particular spot; the rock caught her in the back of the head; The blow got him in the back; The punch caught him in the stomach

    [ Syn: get ]

  24. take hold of so as to seize or restrain or stop the motion of; Catch the ball!; Grab the elevator door!

    [ Syn: grab , take hold of ]

  25. succeed in catching or seizing, especially after a chase; We finally got the suspect; Did you catch the thief?

    [ Syn: get , capture ]

  26. to hook or entangle; One foot caught in the stirrup

    [ Syn: hitch ]

  27. attract and fix; His look caught her; She caught his eye; Catch the attention of the waiter

    [ Syn: arrest , get ]

  28. capture as if by hunting, snaring, or trapping; I caught a rabbit in the trap today

    [ Syn: capture ]

  29. reach in time; I have to catch a train at 7 o'clock'

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2011 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.