catch in WordNet English dictionary

1. the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal)
   "the policeman on the beat got credit for the collar"
   apprehension  arrest  catch  collar  pinch  taking into custody 
   
2. the act of catching an object with the hands
   "Mays made the catch with his back to the plate"; "he made a grab for the ball before it landed"; "Martin's snatch at the bridle failed and the horse raced away"; "the infielder's snap and throw was a single motion"
   catch  grab  snatch  snap 
   
3. a cooperative game in which a ball is passed back and forth
   "he played catch with his son in the backyard"
   catch 
   
4. a fastener that fastens or locks a door or window
   catch 
   
5. a restraint that checks the motion of something
   "he used a book as a stop to hold the door open"
   catch  stop 
   
6. a drawback or difficulty that is not readily evident
   "it sounds good but what's the catch?"
   catch  gimmick 
   
7. a break or check in the voice (usually a sign of strong emotion)
   catch 
   
8. anything that is caught (especially if it is worth catching)
   "he shared his catch with the others"
   catch 
   
9. a person regarded as a good matrimonial prospect
   catch  match 
   
10. the quantity that was caught
    "the catch was only 10 fish"
    catch  haul 
    

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