Word
Definition
n. a small metal or plastic bar that holds a door or gate closed. You lift it or turn it to open the door.
n. a mechanical fastener consisting of a movable bar that fits into a notch or slot to secure a door, gate, or window.
Examples
“He lifted the latch and walked into the garden.”
“The old wooden gate wouldn't stay shut because the latch was rusty and stuck in the open position.”
“Security experts recommend installing a deadbolt in addition to a standard door latch, as simple spring-loaded mechanisms are relatively easy to bypass with basic tools.”
Examples
simple
“He lifted the latch and walked into the garden.”
contextual
“The old wooden gate wouldn't stay shut because the latch was rusty and stuck in the open position.”
complex
“Security experts recommend installing a deadbolt in addition to a standard door latch, as simple spring-loaded mechanisms are relatively easy to bypass with basic tools.”
Usage
Often used with the verbs 'lift', 'click', or 'engage'.
Real-World Examples
“Villa, too, had chances, Jackson getting a shot away after latching on to a McGinn pass and Bogarde had a shot cleared off the line by the home full-back Joaquin Seys.” Etymology
From Middle English lacchen (“to seize, catch, grasp”, verb), from Old English læċċan (“to grasp, take hold of, catch, seize”), from Proto-Germanic lakjaną, lakwijaną, lakkijaną (“to seize”), from Proto-Indo-European (s)leh₂g-, *(s)leh₂gʷ- (“to take, seize”). Cognate with Middle Dutch lakken (“to grasp, catch”).
From Middle English latche, lacche (“a latch; a trap”), from lacchen (“to seize, catch, grasp”), from Old English læċċan (“to grasp, take hold of, catch, seize”). See above for more.
Compare French lécher (“to lick”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. latch onto
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/latch
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0