catchy

American  

[kach-ee] / ˈkætʃ i /

adjective

catchier, catchiest

1. pleasing and easily remembered.

   a catchy tune.

2. likely to attract interest or attention.

   a catchy title for a movie.

3. tricky; deceptive.

   a catchy question.

4. occurring in snatches; fitful.

   a catchy wind.

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catchy British  

/ ˈkætʃɪ /

adjective

1. (of a tune, etc) pleasant and easily remembered or imitated

2. tricky or deceptive

   a catchy question

3. irregular

   a catchy breeze

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Other Word Forms

• catchiness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of catchy

First recorded in 1795–1805; catch + -y ¹

Explanation

Something that's catchy grabs your attention or sticks in your memory. A catchy TV commercial jingle is one that kids can't stop singing. Ad executives are always seeking catchy slogans or ideas, and movie distributors work hard to put out catchy trailers for new films. Successful pop musicians have solved the puzzle of how to write a catchy song. In all of these cases, the catchy item appeals to many people and stays with them. The word dates from the 1830s, possibly from the sense of catch meaning "contract an illness that's passed from person to person."

Example Sentences

Called Catchy, it doubles as both a storefront and a catering business.

From Salon • May 21, 2024

Catchy lead, KP, but people don’t understand analogies or metaphors anymore.

From Washington Post • Feb. 12, 2022

Catchy licks and hooks come and go like musical flickers.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2017

In Georgia Pair, a Catchy Nickname and Big Production Call it an unfair comparison, a good omen, or just plain cool.

From New York Times • Nov. 26, 2012

“Woof, ahwoo, a-woof, ahwoo! Catchy tune, what?” the baron said, tapping his foot.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• haunting
• memorable