catching Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (baseball) playing the position of catcher on a baseball team
  2. noun the act of detecting something; catching sight of something
    detection; espial; spying; spotting.
  3. noun becoming infected
    contracting.
    • catching cold is sometimes unavoidable
    • the contracting of a serious illness can be financially catastrophic
  4. verb discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
    catch.
    • She caught her son eating candy
    • She was caught shoplifting
  5. verb perceive with the senses quickly, suddenly, or momentarily
    catch; pick up.
    • 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
  6. verb reach with a blow or hit in a particular spot
    catch; get.
    • the rock caught her in the back of the head
    • The blow got him in the back
    • The punch caught him in the stomach
  7. verb take hold of so as to seize or restrain or stop the motion of
    catch; grab; take hold of.
    • Catch the ball!
    • Grab the elevator door!
  8. verb succeed in catching or seizing, especially after a chase
    catch; capture; get.
    • We finally got the suspect
    • Did you catch the thief?
  9. verb to hook or entangle
    catch; hitch.
    • One foot caught in the stirrup
  10. verb attract and fix
    catch; arrest; get.
    • His look caught her
    • She caught his eye
    • Catch the attention of the waiter
  11. verb capture as if by hunting, snaring, or trapping
    catch; capture.
    • I caught a rabbit in the trap today
  12. verb reach in time
    catch.
    • I have to catch a train at 7 o'clock
  13. verb get or regain something necessary, usually quickly or briefly
    catch.
    • Catch some sleep
    • catch one's breath
  14. verb catch up with and possibly overtake
    catch; catch up with; overtake.
    • The Rolls Royce caught us near the exit ramp
  15. verb be struck or affected by
    catch.
    • catch fire
    • catch the mood
  16. verb check oneself during an action
    catch.
    • She managed to catch herself before telling her boss what was on her mind
  17. verb hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
    catch; overhear; take in.
    • We overheard the conversation at the next table
  18. verb see or watch
    catch; see; watch; take in; view.
    • 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
  19. verb cause to become accidentally or suddenly caught, ensnared, or entangled
    catch.
    • I caught the hem of my dress in the brambles
  20. verb detect a blunder or misstep
    catch; trip up.
    • The reporter tripped up the senator
  21. verb grasp with the mind or develop an understanding of
    catch; get.
    • did you catch that allusion?
    • We caught something of his theory in the lecture
    • don't catch your meaning
    • did you get it?
    • She didn't get the joke
    • I just don't get him
  22. verb contract
    catch.
    • did you catch a cold?
  23. verb start burning
    catch.
    • The fire caught
  24. verb perceive by hearing
    catch; get.
    • I didn't catch your name
    • She didn't get his name when they met the first time
  25. verb suffer from the receipt of
    catch; get.
    • She will catch hell for this behavior!
  26. verb attract; cause to be enamored
    capture; entrance; bewitch; fascinate; enamour; trance; captivate; beguile; charm; catch; becharm; enchant; enamor.
    • She captured all the men's hearts
  27. verb apprehend and reproduce accurately
    catch; get.
    • She really caught the spirit of the place in her drawings
    • She got the mood just right in her photographs
  28. verb take in and retain
    catch.
    • We have a big barrel to catch the rainwater
  29. verb spread or be communicated
    catch.
    • The fashion did not catch
  30. verb be the catcher
    catch.
    • Who is catching?
  31. verb become aware of
    catch.
    • he caught her staring out the window
  32. verb delay or hold up; prevent from proceeding on schedule or as planned
    catch.
    • I was caught in traffic and missed the meeting
  33. adjective satellite (of disease) capable of being transmitted by infection
    transmittable; contagious; transmissible; communicable; contractable.

WordNet


Catch"ing adjective
Definitions
  1. Infections; contagious.
  2. Captavating; alluring.
Catch"ing noun
Definitions
  1. The act of seizing or taking hold of

Webster 1913