# catchy

/ˈkæˌtʃi/ (US) · /kˈætʃi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/catchy
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. memorable and appealing

adjective · CEFR B1

easy to remember and pleasant to hear or see.

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

- The new pop song has a very catchy chorus that I can't stop singing.
- The marketing team spent weeks developing a catchy slogan that would resonate with younger consumers and improve brand recognition.

### 2. tricky or deceptive

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic

tricky or designed to trap you in a mistake.

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

- The lawyer asked a catchy question to try and make the witness look confused.
- The contract was full of catchy clauses designed to penalise the unwary signee for minor administrative delays.

## Examples

- The song has a very catchy chorus.
- The marketing team created a catchy slogan to help customers remember the new brand.
- Despite its complex lyrical structure, the track remains catchy, relying on a repetitive melodic hook that lingers in the listener's memory.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.