catching
Americanadjective
-
tending to be transmitted from one person to another; contagious or infectious.
a disease that is catching;
His enthusiasm is catching.
-
attractive; fascinating; captivating; alluring.
a catching personality.
adjective
-
infectious
-
attractive; captivating
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of catching
late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; see origin at catch, -ing 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It’s a fundraiser for the Catching Hope foundation, launched by Smith and his wife to equip at-risk youth with skills in leadership and self-sufficiency.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026
Catching up with Nvidia will be a taller task.
From Barron's • Jan. 7, 2026
"Catching these transient events requires flexibility to adapt our night-time schedule as new targets of opportunity are discovered."
From Science Daily • Dec. 31, 2025
Catching the ride on silver’s prices may feel great.
From MarketWatch • Dec. 31, 2025
Catching the steel look in her eye, I said, “I’ll stay on the wagon and tell him how it’s done.”
From "Worth" by A. LaFaye
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
