<p><strong>Verb (used with object):</strong></p><ul><li>caught</li><li>catching</li><li>to seize or capture, especially after pursuit: to catch a runaway horse</li><li>to catch a criminal</li><li>to trap or ensnare: to catch a fish</li><li>to intercept and seize; take and hold (something thrown, falling, etc.): a barrel to catch rain</li><li>to catch a ball</li><li>to come upon suddenly; surprise or detect, as in some action: I caught him stealing the pumpkin</li><li>to receive, incur, or contract: to catch a cold</li><li>to be in time to get aboard (a train, boat, etc.)</li><li>to lay hold of; grasp; clasp: He caught her in a warm embrace</li><li>to grip, hook, or entangle: The sharp branches caught his clothing</li><li>to allow (something) to become gripped, hooked, snagged, or entangled: He caught his coat on a nail</li><li>to attract or arrest: His speech caught our attention</li><li>to check or restrain suddenly (often used reflexively): He caught himself before he said the wrong thing</li><li>to see or attend: to catch a show</li><li>to strike; hit: The blow caught him on the head</li><li>to become inspired by or aware of: I caught the spirit of the occasion</li><li>to fasten with or as if with a catch: to catch the clasp on a necklace</li><li>to deceive: No one was caught by his sugary words</li><li>to attract the attention of; captivate; charm: She was caught by his smile and good nature</li><li>to grasp with the intellect; comprehend: She failed to catch his meaning</li><li>to hear clearly: We caught only snatches of their conversation</li><li>to apprehend and record; capture: The painting caught her expression perfectly</li><li>to assist at the birth of: The town doctor caught more than four hundred children before he retired</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used without object):</strong></p><ul><li>to become gripped, hooked, or entangled: Her foot caught in the net</li><li>to overtake someone or something moving (usually followed by up, up with, or up to)</li><li>to take hold: The door lock doesn't catch</li><li>Baseball: to play the position of catcher: He catches for the Yankees</li><li>to become lighted; take fire; ignite: The kindling caught instantly</li><li>to become established, as a crop or plant, after germination and sprouting</li></ul><p><strong>Noun:</strong></p><ul><li>the act of catching</li><li>anything that catches, especially a device for checking motion, as a latch on a door</li><li>any tricky or concealed drawback: It seems so easy that there must be a catch somewhere</li><li>a slight, momentary break or crack in the voice</li><li>that which is caught, as a quantity of fish: The fisherman brought home a large catch</li><li>a person or thing worth getting, especially a person regarded as a desirable matrimonial prospect: My mother thinks Pat would be quite a catch</li><li>a game in which a ball is thrown from one person to another: to have a catch</li><li>a fragment: catches of a song</li><li>Music: a round, especially one in which the words are so arranged as to produce ludicrous effects</li><li>Sports: the catching and holding of a batted or thrown ball before it touches the ground</li><li>Rowing: the first part of the stroke, consisting of the placing of the oar into the water</li><li>Agriculture: the establishment of a crop from seed: a catch of clover</li></ul><p><strong>Adjective:</strong></p><ul><li>catchy</li></ul><p><strong>Verb Phrase:</strong></p><ul><li>to grasp at eagerly; accept readily: He caught at the chance to get free tickets</li><li>chiefly British: to catch or discover (a person) in deceit or an error</li><li>to become popular: That new song is beginning to catch on</li><li>to grasp mentally; understand: You'd think he'd catch on that he's boring us</li><li>New England (in cooking): to scorch or burn slightly; sear: A pot roast is better if allowed to catch on</li><li>to lift or snatch suddenly: Leaves were caught up in the wind</li><li>to bring or get up to date (often followed by on or with): to catch up on one's reading</li><li>to come up to or overtake (something or someone) (usually followed by with): to catch up with the leader in a race</li><li>to become involved or entangled with: caught up in the excitement of the crowd</li><li>to point out to (a person) minor errors, untruths, etc. (usually followed by on): We caught the teacher up on a number of factual details</li><li>Falconry: to capture for further training (a hawk that has been flown at hack)</li><li>South Midland and Southern U.S.: to harness (a horse or mule)</li></ul>