- 1[transitive] catch something to stop and hold a moving object, especially in your hands She managed to catch the keys as they fell. “Would you throw me a towel?” “OK. Catch!” The dog caught the stick in its mouth.
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
- 2[transitive] catch something to hold a liquid when it falls The roof was leaking and I had to use a bucket to catch the drips.
- 3[transitive] catch somebody/something (+ adv./prep.) to take hold of someone or something He caught hold of her arm as she tried to push past him. capture
- 4[transitive] catch somebody/something to capture a person or an animal that tries or would try to escape The murderer was never caught. Our cat is useless at catching mice. How many fish did you catch? someone doing something
- 5[transitive] to find or discover someone doing something, especially something wrong catch somebody doing something I caught her smoking in the bathroom. You wouldn't catch me working (= I would never work) on a Sunday! catch yourself doing something She caught herself wondering whether she had made a mistake. catch somebody + adv./prep. He was caught with bomb-making equipment in his home. thieves caught in the act You've caught me at a bad time (= at a time when I am busy). be in time
- 6[transitive] catch somebody/something to be in time to do something, talk to someone, etc. I caught him just as he was leaving the building. I was hoping to catch you at home (= to telephone you at home when you were there). The disease can be treated provided it's caught (= discovered) early enough. (informal) Bye! I'll catch you later (= speak to you again later). bus/train/plane
- 7[transitive] catch something to be in time for a bus, train, plane, etc. and get on it We caught the 12:15 from Grand Central. I have to go—I have a train to catch.
- 8[transitive] catch somebody to happen unexpectedly and put someone in a difficult situation His arrival caught me by surprise. She got caught in a thunderstorm. see/hear
- 9[transitive] catch something (informal) to see or hear something; to attend something Let's eat now and maybe we could catch a movie later. Thesaurussee
- spot
- catch
- see to become aware of someone or something by using your eyes:She looked for him but couldn't see him in the crowd. He could see (that) she had been crying.
- spot to see or notice someone or something, especially suddenly or when they are/it is not easy to see or notice:I just spotted a mistake on the front cover.
- catch to see or notice something for a moment, but not clearly or completely:She caught sight of a car in the distance. He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror.
- to suddenly see/spot/catch sight of somebody/something
- 10[transitive] catch something to hear or understand something Excuse me, I didn't catch what you said. illness
- 11[transitive] to get an illness catch something to catch the measles catch something from somebody I think I must have caught this cold from you. become stuck
- 12[intransitive, transitive] to become stuck in or on something; to make something become stuck catch (in/on something) Her dress caught on a nail. catch something (in/on something) He caught his thumb in the door.
- 13[transitive] to hit someone or something catch somebody/something + adv./prep. The stone caught him on the side of the head. notice
- 14[transitive] catch something to notice something only for a moment She caught sight of a car in the distance. He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. I caught a look of surprise on her face. He caught a whiff of her perfume. interest
- 15[transitive] catch somebody's interest, imagination, attention, etc. if something catches your interest, etc., you notice it and feel interested in it show accurately
- 16[transitive] catch something to show or describe something accurately synonym capture The artist has caught her smile perfectly. light
- 17[transitive] catch something if something catches the light or the light catches it, the light shines on it and makes it shine too The knife gleamed as it caught the light.
- 18[transitive, intransitive] catch (fire) to begin to burn The wooden rafters caught fire. These logs are wet—they won't catch. Idioms
- 1to stop breathing for a moment because of fear, shock, etc.
- 2to breathe normally again after running or doing some tiring exercise
- 1to make someone or something unsteady and in danger of falling I was thrown off balance by the sudden gust of wind.
- 2to make someone surprised or confused The senator was clearly caught off balance by the unexpected question.
verb jump to other results
NAmE//kætʃ//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they catch he / she / it catches
past simple caught
-ing form catching
to be put at a disadvantage
in a situation where you have to choose between two things, both of which are unpleasant
to catch a very bad cold
to attract someone's attention Can you catch the waiter's eye?
to attract or please someone She looked through the hotel ads until one of them caught her fancy.
to be punished or spoken to angrily about something If your dad finds out you'll really catch hell!
to get an advantage over someone by doing something when they are not expecting it and not ready for it
to surprise someone by doing something when they are not expecting it and not ready for it
to catch someone in the act of doing something wrong or committing a crime
to arrive or do something when someone is not expecting it and not ready, especially when they are in an embarrassing situation
Check pronunciation: catch