catch on

verb

caught on; catching on; catches on

intransitive verb

1
: to become aware : learn
also : understand
didn't catch on to what was going on
2
: to become popular
this idea has already caught on

Examples of catch on in a Sentence

she caught on to the fact that they were planning a surprise party he finally caught on to the concept of phototaxis
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Though both wear hats and masks and keep their heads down, there is one full-face photo caught on the Ring as a delivery man picks up the two-month-old mattress. Suzanne Seggerman, Curbed, 14 Nov. 2024 Last year, a tourist was arrested after he was caught on video defacing the wall of the Colosseum in Rome by carving a love note into it. Arata Yamamoto, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024 Two structures caught on fire, the Los Angeles Fire Department said, and there were no reported injuries. Cnn.com, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024 According to Fox News affiliate, KDFW, 29-year-old Terron Deshaun Hadnot was on the run after fleeing from an SUV that was reportedly stolen, and after an entertaining police chase, which was all caught on camera. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 2 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for catch on 

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of catch on was in 1882

Dictionary Entries Near catch on

Cite this Entry

“Catch on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catch%20on. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

catch on

verb
1
: to realize something
they had been teasing me, and I never caught on
2
: to become popular
will the new style catch on

More from Merriam-Webster on catch on

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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