What does "caught" mean?

1. (grabbed something) the past form of catch; to grab and hold something that is moving through the air. 2. (found doing something) to find someone doing something they were trying to hide. 3. (became ill) to get a cold or another illness from someone else. 4. (heard or saw) to manage to hear, see, or understand something briefly. 5. (out in cricket) a way of being out in cricket where a player grabs the ball after you hit it.

caught

v. · adj.

US //ˈkɑt// UK //kˈɔːt// caught

1 grabbed something (v.)
A2 Elementary

the past form of catch; to grab and hold something that is moving through the air.

past tense and past participle of catch, meaning to intercept and hold a moving object.

Example

He caught the ball with one hand while running across the field.

Example

The outfielder caught the fly ball just inches from the boundary, securing the final out of the inning.
- dropped
- missed
2 found doing something (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to find someone doing something they were trying to hide.

to surprise or detect someone in the act of performing an action, often an illicit or private one.

Example

The teacher caught the students whispering during the final exam.

Example

The security cameras caught the intruder attempting to bypass the electronic lock on the rear entrance.

Show 3 more sensesShow fewer

3 became ill (v.)
A2 Elementary Medicine

to get a cold or another illness from someone else.

to contract an infectious disease or illness.

Example

I caught a terrible cold after walking home in the heavy rain.

Example

Several staff members caught the flu during the winter peak, leading to a temporary shortage of available personnel.
- contracted
- developed
4 heard or saw (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to manage to hear, see, or understand something briefly.

to perceive or apprehend something momentarily or with difficulty.

Example

I only caught the last few words of their private conversation.

Example

She caught a glimpse of the mountain peak through the clouds before the mist obscured the view again.
- missed
5 out in cricket (adj.)
C1 Advanced Technical Sport

a way of being out in cricket where a player grabs the ball after you hit it.

describing a method of dismissal in which a fielder catches the ball after it has been hit by the batsman but before it touches the ground.

Example

The batsman was caught at mid-on for only twelve runs.

Example

The captain was caught behind the stumps after a sharp delivery induced a faint edge from the bat.

Idioms6 entries