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catchup

American  
[kach-uhp, kech-] / ˈkætʃ əp, ˈkɛtʃ- /

noun

  1. ketchup.


catchup British  
/ ˈkɛtʃ-, ˈkætʃəp /

noun

  1. a variant spelling (esp US) of ketchup

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

The Lakers went down 13 in the third quarter and had to play catchup the rest of the way.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2026

SoftBank Group surged 18% and Kioxia Holdings soared 19%, playing catchup with overseas peers following holidays in Japan from Monday through Wednesday.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

They have high incomes and valuable practices but start their professional lives playing catchup, a challenge for the money managers chasing after them.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

The Nikkei average rose 3.37 percent or 1,751.20 points to 53,691.09 in early trade, as the index also played catchup after a Japanese national holiday and US shares advanced overnight.

From Barron's • Jan. 13, 2026

Like the talk we’d have would really be as simple as a catchup.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

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