to seize or capture, esp. after pursuit

to catch a criminal; to catch a runaway horse.

to trap or ensnare

to catch a fish.

to intercept and seize; take and hold (something thrown, falling, etc.)

to catch a ball; a barrel to catch rain.

to come upon suddenly; surprise or detect, as in some action

I caught him stealing the pumpkin.

to receive, incur, or contract

to catch a cold.

to be in time to get aboard (a train, boat, etc.).

to lay hold of; grasp; clasp

He caught her arm.

to grip, hook, or entangle

The closing door caught his arm.

to allow (something) to become gripped, hooked, snagged, or entangled

He caught his coat on a nail.

to attract or arrest

The painting caught his fancy. His speech caught our attention.

to check or restrain suddenly (often used reflexively)

She caught her breath in surprise. He caught himself before he said the wrong thing.

to see or attend

to catch a show.

to strike; hit

The blow caught him on the head.

to become inspired by or aware of

I caught the spirit of the occasion.

to fasten with or as if with a catch

to catch the clasp on a necklace.

to deceive

No one was caught by his sugary words.

to attract the attention of; captivate; charm

She was caught by his smile and good nature.

to grasp with the intellect; comprehend

She failed to catch his meaning.

to hear clearly

We caught snatches of their conversation.

to apprehend and record; capture

The painting caught her expression perfectly.

South Midland and Southern U.S. to assist at the birth of

The town doctor caught more than four hundred children before he retired.

to become gripped, hooked, or entangled

Her foot caught in the net.

to overtake someone or something moving (usually fol. by up, up with, or up to ).

to take hold

The door lock doesn't catch.

Baseball . to play the position of catcher

He catches for the Yankees.

to become lighted; take fire; ignite

The kindling caught instantly.

to become established, as a crop or plant, after germination and sprouting.

the act of catching.

anything that catches, esp. a device for checking motion, as a latch on a door.

any tricky or concealed drawback

It seems so easy that there must be a catch somewhere.

a slight, momentary break or crack in the voice.

that which is caught, as a quantity of fish

The fisherman brought home a large catch.

a person or thing worth getting, esp. a person regarded as a desirable matrimonial prospect

My mother thinks Pat would be quite a catch.

a game in which a ball is thrown from one person to another

to play catch; to have a catch.

a fragment

catches of a song.

Music . a round, esp. one in which the words are so arranged as to produce ludicrous effects.

Sports . the catching and holding of a batted or thrown ball before it touches the ground.

Rowing . the first part of the stroke, consisting of the placing of the oar into the water.

Agriculture . the establishment of a crop from seed

a catch of clover.

catchy ( def. 3 ) . ?

catch at, to grasp at eagerly; accept readily

He caught at the chance to get free tickets.

catch on,

to become popular

That new song is beginning to catch on.

to grasp mentally; understand

You'd think he'd catch on that he's boring us.

New England . (in cooking) to scorch or burn slightly; sear

A pot roast is better if allowed to catch on.

catch out, Chiefly British . to catch or discover (a person) in deceit or an error.

catch up,

to lift or snatch suddenly

Leaves were caught up in the wind.

to bring or get up to date (often fol. by on or with )

to catch up on one's reading.

to come up to or overtake (something or someone) (usually fol. by with )

to catch up with the leader in a race.

to become involved or entangled with

caught up in the excitement of the crowd.

to point out to (a person) minor errors, untruths, etc. (usually fol. by on )

We caught the teacher up on a number of factual details.

Falconry . to capture for further training (a hawk that has been flown at hack).

South Midland and Southern U.S. to harness (a horse or mule). ?

catch a crab

(in rowing) to bungle a stroke by failing to get the oar into the water at the beginning or by failing to withdraw it properly at the end.

catch a turn, Nautical . to wind a rope around a bitt, capstan, etc.

for one full turn.

catch it

Informal . to receive a reprimand or punishment

He'll catch it from his mother for tearing his good trousers again.

verb

free , let go , let off , lose , misplace , miss , release , misunderstand , be immune , push

noun

bolt , buckle , clamp , clasp , clip , hasp , hook , hook and eye , latch , snap , catch-22 , conundrum , deception , decoy , drawback , fly in the ointment , hitch , joke , puzzle , puzzler , snag , stumbling block , trap

verb

arrest , bag , bust * , capture , clasp , claw , clench , clutch , collar , cop , corral , entangle , entrap , get one’s fingers on , glom , glove , grab , grasp , grip , hook , lasso , lay hold of , nab , nail , net , pick , pluck , pounce on , prehend , secure , seize , snag , snare , snatch , take , take hold of , trap , descry , detect , encounter , expose , hit upon , meet with , spot , surprise , take unawares , turn up , unmask , become infected with , break out with , come down with , develop , fall ill with , fall victim to , get , incur , receive , sicken , succumb to , suffer from , board , climb on , come upon , cotch , go after , hop on , jump , make , overhaul , overtake , pass , ram , reach , run down , accept , apprehend , comprehend , discern , feel , follow , perceive , recognize , see , sense , take in , understand , hit on , espy , glimpse , spy , nip , strike , anchor , fix , moor , lodge , stick , enmesh , ensnare , ensnarl , tangle , trammel , web , bash , clout , knock , pop , slam , slog , slug , smash , smite , sock , swat , thwack , whack , wham , whop , compass , conceive , fathom , make out , read