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Meaning & use

catching

adjective, noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈkætʃɪŋ/
US/ˈkætʃɪŋ/

“catching” is a form of “catch”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. adjectivenot comparable

    A disease that is catching spreads easily from one person to another.

    Grammar: Used after a linking verb like be, seem, or get, or before a noun: a catching disease.

    Patterns

    • be catching
    • a catching disease
    • get catching

    Chickenpox is catching, so keep the child at home.

    Don't worry—her cold isn't catching.

    Measles is a highly catching illness.

  2. adjectivecomparable

    Something catching is attractive and makes you want to join in.

    Grammar: Usually before a noun; can be used with more/most.

    Patterns

    • a catching tune
    • a catching smile
    • a catching idea

    The song has a catching rhythm that everyone claps to.

    Her laughter is catching and soon the whole room is laughing.

    It was a catching performance that lifted everyone's mood.

  3. noununcountable

    The act of stopping and holding a moving object, especially a ball.

    Grammar: No plural; often used in sports contexts.

    Patterns

    • good at catching
    • practice catching
    • catching practice

    His catching has improved a lot this season.

    We spent the afternoon catching and throwing the ball.

    Catching is an important skill in cricket.

Word forms

third person singularcatches
past tensecaught
past participlecaught
present participlecatching

Common combinations

catching up
I'm catching up on my emails after the holiday.
catching a cold
Wear a coat—you don't want to be catching a cold.
catching sight of
He ran off before I could catch sight of him.
catching fire
The dry grass is catching fire quickly in this heat.

Synonyms and how they differ

infectious
Infectious is the more medical term; catching is more everyday and often used for mild illnesses.
contagious
Contagious is similar but often used for diseases spread by contact; catching can also mean 'attractive'.
catching
Use catching for a tune or smile that spreads from person to person.

Word family

catch verb
To stop and hold something moving; also to get an illness.
catcher noun
A person or thing that catches, especially in baseball.
catchy adjective
A catchy tune is easy to remember and pleasant.

Commonly confused: catching or catchy?

catching vs catchy

Catchy means 'easy to remember' (a catchy song). Catching means 'infectious' or 'attractive in a spreading way'.

Practice

Choose the correct word: The flu is very ______, so stay in bed.

Make it your own

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