All Definitions for Catch
Below are all the dictionary definitions of catch:
1The act of seizing or capturing.
2The act of catching an object in motion, especially a ball.
3The act of noticing, understanding or hearing.
4The game of catching a ball.
5Something which is captured or caught.
6A find, in particular a boyfriend or girlfriend or prospective spouse.
7A stopping mechanism, especially a clasp which stops something from opening.
8A hesitation in voice, caused by strong emotion.
9A concealed difficulty, especially in a deal or negotiation.
10A crick
11A sudden muscle pain during unaccustomed positioning when the muscle is in use.
12A fragment of music or poetry.
13A crop which has germinated and begun to grow.
14A type of humorous round in which the voices gradually catch up with one another
15Usually sung by men and often having bawdy lyrics.
16The refrain
17A line or lines of a song which are repeated from verse to verse.
18The act of catching a hit ball before it reaches the ground, resulting in an out.
19A player in respect of his catching ability
20Icularly one who catches well.
21The first contact of an oar with the water.
22A stoppage of breath, resembling a slight cough.
23Passing opportunities seized
24Snatches.
25A slight remembrance
26A trace.
27To capture, overtake.
28To capture or snare (someone or something which would rather escape).
29To entrap or trip up a person
30To deceive.
31To marry or enter into a similar relationship with.
32To reach (someone) with a strike, blow, weapon etc.
33To overtake or catch up to
34To be in time for.
35To unpleasantly discover unexpectedly
36To unpleasantly surprise (someone doing something).
37To travel by means of.
38To seize hold of.
39To grab, seize, take hold of.
40To take or replenish something necessary, such as breath or sleep.
41To grip or entangle.
42To be held back or impeded.
43To engage with some mechanism
44To stick, to succeed in interacting with something or initiating some process.
45To have something be held back or impeded.
46To make a grasping or snatching motion (at).
47To spread or be conveyed to.
48To grip (the water) with one's oars at the beginning of the stroke.
49To germinate and set down roots.
50To contact a wave in such a way that one can ride it back to shore.
51To handle an exception.
52To intercept.
53To seize or intercept an object moving through the air (or, sometimes, some other medium).
54To end a player's innings by catching a hit ball before the first bounce.
55To play (a specific period of time) as the catcher.
56To receive (by being in the way).
57To be the victim of (something unpleasant, painful etc.).
58To be touched or affected by (something) through exposure.
59To become infected by (an illness).
60To spread by infection or similar means.
61To receive or be affected by (wind, water, fire etc.).
62To acquire, as though by infection
63To take on through sympathy or influence.
64To be hit by something.
65To serve well or poorly for catching, especially for catching fish.
66To get pregnant.
67To take in with one's senses or intellect.
68To grasp mentally: perceive and understand.
69To take in
70To watch or listen to (an entertainment).
71To reproduce or echo a spirit or idea faithfully.
72To seize attention, interest.
73To charm or entrance.
74To attract and hold (a faculty or organ of sense).
75To notice.
76A state of readiness to capture or seize
77An ambush.
78A type of strong boat, usually having two masts
79A ketch.
80To become pregnant. (Only in past tense or as participle.)
81To seize (an opportunity) when it occurs.
About synonyms for catch
Finding the right synonym for catch helps writers avoid repetition and add precision to their work. Defined as "The act of seizing or capturing.", catch has 10 alternatives that can fit different contexts and tones.
Each synonym carries a slightly different shade of meaning. Grab is the most direct replacement in most situations. Snatch works well in formal or professional contexts. Snap is often preferred when the context calls for a more specific or nuanced expression.
When choosing a synonym, consider the connotation, formality level, and audience. Some alternatives work better in casual conversation while others shine in academic or professional writing. For example, using a more formal synonym in a business email can elevate your tone, while a casual synonym might feel more natural in creative writing or dialogue.
It is also worth noting that not all synonyms are perfectly interchangeable. The context of your sentence, the surrounding words, and the intended emotional impact all play a role in selecting the best alternative. The list above provides the most common and useful replacements for catch, but always read your sentence aloud to ensure the chosen word flows naturally.