catch
catch
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for the word "catch" is /kætʃ/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
ka /kæ/
/k/ - a voiceless velar stop
/æ/ - a near-low front unrounded vowel
tch /tʃ/
/tʃ/ - a voiceless postalveolar affricate
Word Form Variations
catch (noun - singular): This is the base form, referring to the act of catching, the amount caught, or a device for holding something. It can also be a verb (see below).
catches (noun - plural): Refers to multiple instances of catching, multiple amounts caught, or multiple devices.
catch (verb - base form): The action of seizing or grasping something.
catches (verb - 3rd person singular present): He/She/It catches.
catching (verb - present participle/gerund): The act of catching; also used as an adjective (e.g., catching a cold).
caught (verb - past tense/past participle): The action of catching has already happened.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
Definition: The act of seizing or grasping something, especially something in motion.
Synonyms: grab, snatch, capture, apprehension, acquisition
Antonyms: release, liberation, miss, fumble, loss
Definition: The amount of something caught, especially fish.
Synonyms: haul, yield, harvest, take, bag
Antonyms: loss, depletion, scarcity, failure
Definition: A device that holds or fastens something.
Synonyms: latch, clasp, fastener, lock, hook
Antonyms: release, opening
Definition: A hidden drawback or disadvantage.
Synonyms: snag, pitfall, trap, drawback, hitch
Antonyms: advantage, benefit, boon
Verb:
Definition: To seize or grasp something, especially something in motion.
Synonyms: grab, snatch, capture, seize, apprehend
Antonyms: release, free, liberate, miss, drop
Definition: To intercept and take possession of (a ball, for example).
Synonyms: intercept, snag, pluck, field
Antonyms: miss, drop, fumble
Definition: To become infected with (an illness).
Synonyms: contract, get, develop, acquire, succumb to
Antonyms: resist, fight off, recover from
Definition: To attract and hold (attention, interest, etc.).
Synonyms: attract, engage, captivate, fascinate, enthrall
Antonyms: repel, bore, alienate, deter
Definition: To understand or comprehend.
Synonyms: understand, grasp, comprehend, get, follow
Antonyms: misunderstand, misconstrue, miss, overlook
Adjective:
Definition: (Informal) Attractive or appealing.
Synonyms: appealing, attractive, captivating, engaging, alluring
Antonyms: unappealing, unattractive, repulsive, boring
Definition: (Of a disease) Contagious; easily spread.
Synonyms: contagious, infectious, transmissible, communicable
Antonyms: non-contagious, non-infectious
Adverb:
(Rarely used as an adverb, but could potentially be used informally to describe a quick action, as in "He caught the ball catch.") This usage is non-standard.
Examples of Use
Noun:
Act of catching: "The shortstop made a spectacular catch to end the inning." (Sports news report - hypothetical)
Amount caught: "The fisherman's catch was bountiful, filled with salmon and trout." (Outdoor magazine - hypothetical)
Device: "The catch on the door was loose, allowing it to swing open." (Home improvement blog - hypothetical)
Hidden drawback: "The job offer seemed perfect, but there was a catch – it required relocating to Antarctica." (Career advice website - hypothetical)
Verb:
Seizing: "She managed to catch the falling vase before it shattered." (Novel excerpt - hypothetical)
Intercepting: "The quarterback threw a long pass, but the safety caught it for an interception." (Sports commentary - hypothetical)
Becoming infected: "Many people caught the flu during the winter season." (Health news article - hypothetical)
Attracting attention: "The comedian's witty jokes caught the audience's attention." (Entertainment review - hypothetical)
Understanding: "I didn't quite catch what you said; could you repeat it?" (Everyday conversation - hypothetical)
Adjective:
Attractive: "That new song has a really catchy melody." (Music review - hypothetical)
Contagious: "Chickenpox is a highly catching disease." (Medical website - hypothetical)
Examples across different media:
Book: "He tried to catch his breath, but the smoke filled his lungs." (Fiction novel - hypothetical)
Newspaper: "Police are trying to catch the escaped convict." (Local news article - hypothetical)
Online publication: "This new trend is catching on quickly." (Lifestyle blog - hypothetical)
Entertainment: "Did you catch the latest episode of that show?" (Social media post about a TV show - hypothetical)
Public discourse: "I hope we can catch up soon." (Casual conversation - hypothetical)
10 Famous Quotes Using Catch
"Catch a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime." – Chinese Proverb
"There’s always a catch to every perfect deal." – Stephen King
"Catch flights, not feelings." – Popular modern saying
"Sometimes the hardest part isn't letting go but learning to catch yourself." – Brené Brown
"You can’t catch tomorrow by chasing yesterday." – Unknown
"To catch the reader’s attention, you must be bold." – William Zinsser
"Catch opportunities before they pass—they don’t circle back often." – Unknown
"Catch someone doing something right." – Ken Blanchard
"It’s not who you catch, it’s how you release that shows your soul." – Unknown
"Catch your thoughts before they catch you." – Marcus Aurelius
Etymology
The word "catch" has a long and interesting history, going back to Old North French, a language spoken in northern France. The word we get "catch" from is cachier, meaning "to capture." This Old North French word likely came from the Latin word captare, which also meant "to seize or capture."
So, the journey looks like this:
Latin captare (to seize) -> Old North French cachier (to capture) -> English "catch."
The first known use of "catch" in English, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, was around the year 1300. At that time, it had a similar meaning to what it has today: to seize or grasp something. Imagine a medieval hunter trying to catch a rabbit – that's the kind of image the word would have evoked.
Over time, the word's meaning expanded a bit. It came to be used not just for physically grabbing something, but also for things like catching an illness, catching a bus, or even catching someone's attention. But the core idea of seizing or getting hold of something has remained constant throughout the word's history. It's a word with deep roots that has kept its fundamental meaning for centuries.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Catch
Common/Relatively Common:
Catch a cold/flu: To become ill with a cold or the flu.
Catch someone's eye: To attract someone's attention.
Catch up (with someone): To reach the same level or point as someone else after a period of being behind.
Catch on: To understand or realize something. Also, to become popular or fashionable.
Catch some rays: To sunbathe.
Catch a glimpse (of something): To see something briefly.
Catch your breath: To pause and breathe deeply, often after physical exertion.
Catch the bus/train/flight: To board a bus, train, or airplane.
Less Common/Figurative:
Catch wind (of something): To hear a rumor or piece of information.
Catch someone out: To expose someone's mistake or deception.
Catch it (from someone): To receive criticism or punishment.
Catch as catch can: A wrestling style with few rules. (More literal than idiomatic)
Catch a falling star: (From the song lyric) To achieve something seemingly impossible.
Why "Catch" Idioms Are Less Common:
"Catch" often implies a sudden or quick action. Many idioms, however, describe more ongoing states or complex situations. This might be why there aren't as many widely used idioms specifically with "catch." We often use related verbs for these broader concepts.
Synonymous/Related Idioms (to fill the gap):
Since "catch" idioms are less numerous, here are some using synonyms that convey similar meanings:
Get the picture: (Similar to "catch on")
Grab the bull by the horns: (Related to "catching" an opportunity)
Seize the day: (Related to "catching" an opportunity)
Get wind of something: (Similar to "catch wind of something")
Pick up on something: (Similar to "catch on")
Take hold of something: (Related to the physical act of "catching")
Original/Made-up Examples (for illustrative purposes):
"He tried to catch the mood of the room, but everyone was too preoccupied." (Figurative extension)
"She caught a moment of peace in the bustling city." (Figurative extension)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of catch from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
