English Reference
verb · adjective

caught

v. · adj.
US /ˈkɑt/ UK /kˈɔːt/ caught

  1. 01 A2 Elementary

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

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

    Simple

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

    In context

    The outfielder caught the fly ball just inches from the boundary, securing the final out of the inning.

  2. 02 B1 Intermediate

    v.to find someone doing something they were trying to hide.

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

    Simple

    The teacher caught the students whispering during the final exam.

    In context

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

  3. 03 A2 Elementary Medicine

    v.to get a cold or another illness from someone else.

    v.to contract an infectious disease or illness.

    Simple

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

    In context

    Several staff members caught the flu during the winter peak, leading to a temporary shortage of available personnel.

  4. 04 B1 Intermediate

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

    v.to perceive or apprehend something momentarily or with difficulty.

    Simple

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

    In context

    She caught a glimpse of the mountain peak through the clouds before the mist obscured the view again.

  5. 05 C1 Advanced Technical Sport

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

    adj.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.

    Simple

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

    In context

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

Usage caught fire · caught the eye

This entry
Level A2 · Elementary
Frequency Very common
Updated