English Reference
adjective

catchy

adj.
US /ˈkæˌtʃi/ UK /kˈætʃi/ catchy

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    easy to remember and pleasant to hear or see.

    instantly appealing and memorable; typically used of melodies, slogans, or advertising hooks.

    Simple

    The new pop song has a very catchy chorus that I can't stop singing.

    In context

    The marketing team spent weeks developing a catchy slogan that would resonate with younger consumers and improve brand recognition.

    unmemorableforgettable
  2. 02 C2 Proficiency Archaic

    tricky or designed to trap you in a mistake.

    tending to catch or ensnare; characterized by hidden difficulties or deceptive elements.

    Simple

    The lawyer asked a catchy question to try and make the witness look confused.

    In context

    The contract was full of catchy clauses designed to penalise the unwary signee for minor administrative delays.


From catch + -y.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated