Catch vs. Watch — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Catch and Watch
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Compare with Definitions
Catch
Intercept and hold (something which has been thrown, propelled, or dropped)
She threw the bottle into the air and caught it again
Watch
A watch is a portable timepiece intended to be carried or worn by a person. It is designed to keep a consistent movement despite the motions caused by the person's activities.
Catch
Capture (a person or animal that tries or would try to escape)
We hadn't caught a single rabbit
Watch
Look at or observe attentively over a period of time
As she watched, two women came into the garden
Lucy watched him go
Everyone stopped to watch what was going on
Catch
(of an object) accidentally become entangled or trapped in something
A button caught in her hair
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Watch
Exercise care, caution, or restraint about
You should watch what you say!
Most women watch their diet during pregnancy
Catch
Reach in time and board (a train, bus, or aircraft)
They caught the 12.15 from Oxford
Watch
Remain awake for the purpose of religious observance
She watched whole nights in the church
Catch
Engage (a person's interest or imagination)
It was the business scheme that had caught his imagination
Watch
A small timepiece worn typically on a strap on one's wrist
My watch had stopped
Catch
Strike (someone) on a part of the body
Ben caught him on the chin with an uppercut
Watch
An act or instance of carefully observing someone or something over a period of time
The security forces have been keeping a close watch on our activities
Catch
Contract (an illness) through infection or contagion
He served in Macedonia, where he caught malaria
Watch
A film or programme considered in terms of its appeal to the public
This movie's an engrossing watch
Catch
Become ignited and start burning
The rafters have caught
Watch
A flock of nightingales
A watch of nightingales began flying south
Catch
An act of catching something, typically a ball.
Watch
To look or observe attentively or carefully; be closely observant
Watching for trail markers.
Catch
A game in which a ball is thrown back and forth between two or more players.
Watch
To look and wait expectantly or in anticipation
Watch for an opportunity.
Catch
A device for securing something such as a door, window, or box
The window catch was rusty
Watch
To act as a spectator; look on
Stood by the road and watched.
Catch
A hidden problem or disadvantage in an apparently ideal situation
There's a catch in it somewhere
Watch
To stay awake at night while serving as a guard, sentinel, or watcher.
Catch
An unevenness in a person's voice caused by emotion
There was a catch in Anne's voice
Watch
To stay alert as a devotional or religious exercise; keep vigil.
Catch
A round, typically one with words arranged to produce a humorous effect.
Watch
To look at steadily; observe carefully or continuously
Watch a parade.
Catch
To get and hold (something that has been in motion) in a hand, the hands, a container, or an implement
Caught the ball in the web of the lacrosse stick.
Watch
To guard, keep surveillance on, or spy on
Watched the prisoner all day.
Watched the house to see who came and went.
Catch
To take hold of, especially forcibly or suddenly; grasp
Caught me by the arm.
Caught the reins.
Watch
To observe the course of mentally; keep up on or informed about
Watch the price of gold.
Catch
To stop (oneself) from doing an action
I caught myself before replying.
Watch
To pay close attention to or be careful about, especially with regard to propriety
Watched his manners.
Catch
To capture or seize, especially after a chase
The police caught the robber in the next town.
Watch
To tend or take care of (children or a flock of sheep, for example).
Catch
To capture or take by trapping, snaring, or some other means
I caught three fish with that lure.
Watch
A portable or wearable timepiece.
More people today carry a watch on their wrists than in their pockets.
Catch
To take in and hold or contain
A pond that catches runoff.
Watch
The act of guarding and observing someone or something.
Catch
To discover or come upon suddenly, unexpectedly, or accidentally
He was caught in the act of stealing.
Watch
A particular time period when guarding is kept.
The second watch of the night began at midnight.
Catch
To become cognizant or aware of suddenly
Caught her gazing out the window.
Watch
A period of wakefulness between the two sleeps of a biphasic sleep pattern (the dead sleep or first sleep and morning sleep or second sleep): the first waking.
Catch
To reach just in time; get so as to be carried by
Caught the bus to town.
Catch a wave.
Watch
A person or group of people who guard.
The watch stopped the travelers at the city gates.
Catch
To overtake
The driver of the green car caught the leader on the straightaway.
Watch
The post or office of a watchman; also, the place where a watchman is posted, or where a guard is kept.
Catch
To cause to become hooked, entangled, or fastened
Caught my hem on the stair.
Watch
(nautical) A group of sailors and officers aboard a ship or shore station with a common period of duty: starboard watch, port watch.
Catch
To hold up; delay
Was caught in traffic for an hour.
Watch
(nautical) A period of time on duty, usually four hours in length; the officers and crew who tend the working of a vessel during the same watch. (FM 55–501).
Catch
To make contact with; strike
The boxer caught his opponent with a left hook.
Watch
The act of seeing, or viewing, for a period of time.
Catch
To propel an object so that it hits (something)
The center caught the back of the net with a hard shot.
Watch
(ambitransitive) To look at, see, or view for a period of time.
Watching the clock will not make time go faster.
I'm tired of watching TV.
Catch
To become subject to or to contract, as by exposure to a pathogen
Catch a cold.
Watch
(transitive) To observe over a period of time; to notice or pay attention.
Watch this!
Put a little baking soda in some vinegar and watch what happens.
Catch
To become affected by or infused with
Caught the joyous mood of the festival.
Watch
(transitive) To mind, attend, or guard.
Please watch my suitcase for a minute.
He has to watch the kids that afternoon.
Catch
To suffer from the receipt of (criticism, for example)
Caught hell for being late.
Watch
(transitive) To be wary or cautious of.
You should watch that guy. He has a reputation for lying.
Catch
To perceive suddenly or momentarily
We caught a glimpse of the movie star. I caught a whiff of her perfume.
Watch
(transitive) To attend to dangers to or regarding.
Watch your head; watch your step
Watch yourself when you talk to him.
Watch what you say.
Catch
To hear or listen to
Caught the news bulletin on the radio.
Didn't catch the end of your sentence.
Watch
(intransitive) To remain awake with a sick or dying person; to maintain a vigil. en
Catch
To grasp mentally; apprehend
I don't catch your meaning.
Watch
(intransitive) To be vigilant or on one's guard.
For some must watch, while some must sleep: So runs the world away.
Catch
To go to see (a performance, for example)
Caught the midnight show.
Watch
(intransitive) To act as a lookout.
Catch
To get (something required), usually quickly or for a brief period
Catch some sleep.
Watch
To serve the purpose of a watchman by floating properly in its place.
Catch
To attract and fix; arrest
Couldn't catch their attention.
Caught the teacher's eye.
Watch
To be awake.
Catch
To reproduce or represent effectively
An impressionist who caught the effects of wind and water in his paintings.
Watch
To be on the lookout for; to wait for expectantly.
Catch
To deceive
Failed to be caught by their fraudulent schemes.
Watch
The act of watching; forbearance of sleep; vigil; wakeful, vigilant, or constantly observant attention; close observation; guard; preservative or preventive vigilance; formerly, a watching or guarding by night.
Shepherds keeping watch by night.
All the long night their mournful watch they keep.
Still, when she slept, he kept both watch and ward.
Ward, guard, or custodia, is chiefly applied to the daytime, in order to apprehend rioters, and robbers on the highway . . . Watch, is properly applicable to the night only, . . . and it begins when ward ends, and ends when that begins.
Catch
(Baseball) To play (a game) as catcher.
Watch
One who watches, or those who watch; a watchman, or a body of watchmen; a sentry; a guard.
Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch; go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
Catch
To become held, entangled, or fastened
My coat caught in the car door.
Watch
The post or office of a watchman; also, the place where a watchman is posted, or where a guard is kept.
He upbraids Iago, that he made himBrave me upon the watch.
Catch
To act or move so as to hold or grab someone or something
Tried to catch at the life preserver.
Watch
The period of the night during which a person does duty as a sentinel, or guard; the time from the placing of a sentinel till his relief; hence, a division of the night.
I did stand my watch upon the hill.
Might we but hear . . . Or whistle from the lodge, or village cockCount the night watches to his feathery dames.
Catch
To be communicable or infectious; spread.
Watch
A small timepiece, or chronometer, to be carried about the person, the machinery of which is moved by a spring.
Catch
To become ignited
The fire caught.
Watch
An allotted portion of time, usually four hour for standing watch, or being on deck ready for duty. Cf. Dogwatch.
Catch
(Baseball) To act as catcher.
Watch
To be awake; to be or continue without sleep; to wake; to keep vigil.
I have two nights watched with you.
Couldest thou not watch one hour ?
Catch
The act of catching, especially the grabbing and holding of a thrown, kicked, or batted ball before it hits the ground.
Watch
To be attentive or vigilant; to give heed; to be on the lookout; to keep guard; to act as sentinel.
Take ye heed, watch and pray.
The Son gave signal highTo the bright minister that watched.
Catch
A game of throwing and catching a ball.
Watch
To be expectant; to look with expectation; to wait; to seek opportunity.
My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning.
Catch
A quantity that is caught
The catch amounted to 50 fish.
Watch
To remain awake with any one as nurse or attendant; to attend on the sick during the night; as, to watch with a man in a fever.
Catch
Something that is perceived or noticed
The mistake you found was a good catch.
Watch
To serve the purpose of a watchman by floating properly in its place; - said of a buoy.
Catch
(Informal) A person considered to be an attractive or admirable romantic partner.
Watch
To give heed to; to observe the actions or motions of, for any purpose; to keep in view; not to lose from sight and observation; as, to watch the progress of a bill in the legislature.
Saul also sent messengers unto David's house to watch him, and to slay him.
I must cool a little, and watch my opportunity.
In lazy mood I watched the little circles die.
Catch
A tricky or previously unsuspected condition or drawback
It sounds like a good offer, but there may be a catch.
Watch
To tend; to guard; to have in keeping.
And flaming ministers, to watch and tendTheir earthy charge.
Paris watched the flocks in the groves of Ida.
Catch
A device for fastening something or for checking motion
The car's hood has a safety catch.
Watch
A small portable timepiece
Catch
A choking or stoppage of the breath or voice
A catch in his voice.
Watch
A period of time (4 or 2 hours) during which some of a ship's crew are on duty
Catch
A snatch; a fragment
Could only hear catches of the song.
Watch
A purposeful surveillance to guard or observe
Catch
(Music) A canonic, often rhythmically intricate composition for three or more voices, popular especially in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Watch
The period during which someone (especially a guard) is on duty
Catch
(countable) The act of seizing or capturing.
The catch of the perpetrator was the product of a year of police work.
Watch
A person employed to watch for something to happen
Catch
(countable) The act of catching an object in motion, especially a ball.
The player made an impressive catch.
Nice catch!
Watch
A devotional watch (especially on the eve of a religious festival)
Catch
(countable) The act of noticing, understanding or hearing.
Good catch. I never would have remembered that.
Watch
Look attentively;
Watch a basketball game
Catch
(uncountable) The game of catching a ball.
The kids love to play catch.
Watch
Follow with the eyes or the mind;
Keep an eye on the baby, please!
The world is watching Sarajevo
She followed the men with the binoculars
Catch
(countable) Something which is captured or caught.
The fishermen took pictures of their catch.
The catch amounted to five tons of swordfish.
Watch
See or watch;
View a show on television
This program will be seen all over the world
View an exhibition
Catch a show on Broadway
See a movie
Catch
A find, in particular a boyfriend or girlfriend or prospective spouse.
Did you see his latest catch?
He's a good catch.
Watch
Observe with attention;
They watched as the murderer was executed
Catch
(countable) A stopping mechanism, especially a clasp which stops something from opening.
She installed a sturdy catch to keep her cabinets closed tight.
Watch
Be vigilant, be on the lookout, be on one's guard, be careful;
Watch out for pickpockets!
Catch
(countable) A hesitation in voice, caused by strong emotion.
There was a catch in his voice when he spoke his father's name.
Watch
Observe or determine by looking;
Watch how the dog chases the cats away
Catch
A concealed difficulty, especially in a deal or negotiation.
It sounds like a great idea, but what's the catch?
Be careful, that's a catch question.
Watch
Find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort;
I want to see whether she speaks French
See whether it works
Find out if he speaks Russian
Check whether the train leaves on time
Catch
(countable) A crick; a sudden muscle pain during unaccustomed positioning when the muscle is in use.
I bent over to see under the table and got a catch in my side.
Catch
(countable) A fragment of music or poetry.
Catch
(obsolete) A state of readiness to capture or seize; an ambush.
Catch
A crop which has germinated and begun to grow.
Catch
(obsolete) A type of strong boat, usually having two masts; a ketch.
Catch
A type of humorous round in which the voices gradually catch up with one another; usually sung by men and often having bawdy lyrics.
Catch
The refrain; a line or lines of a song which are repeated from verse to verse.
Catch
The act of catching a hit ball before it reaches the ground, resulting in an out.
Catch
A player in respect of his catching ability; particularly one who catches well.
Catch
The first contact of an oar with the water.
Catch
A stoppage of breath, resembling a slight cough.
Catch
Passing opportunities seized; snatches.
Catch
A slight remembrance; a trace.
Catch
(heading) To capture, overtake.
Catch
(transitive) To capture or snare (someone or something which would rather escape).
I hope I catch a fish.
He ran but we caught him at the exit.
The police caught the robber at a nearby casino.
Catch
(transitive) To entrap or trip up a person; to deceive.
Catch
To marry or enter into a similar relationship with.
Catch
(transitive) To reach (someone) with a strike, blow, weapon etc.
If he catches you on the chin, you'll be on the mat.
Catch
(transitive) To overtake or catch up to; to be in time for.
If you leave now you might catch him.
I would love to have dinner but I have to catch a plane.
Catch
(transitive) To unpleasantly discover unexpectedly; to unpleasantly surprise (someone doing something).
He was caught on video robbing the bank.
He was caught in the act of stealing a biscuit.
Catch
(transitive) To travel by means of.
Catch the bus
Catch
To become pregnant. (Only in past tense or as participle.)
Catch
(heading) To seize hold of.
Catch
To grab, seize, take hold of.
I caught her by the arm and turned her to face me.
Catch
(transitive) To take or replenish something necessary, such as breath or sleep.
I have to stop for a moment and catch my breath
I caught some Z's on the train.
Catch
(transitive) To grip or entangle.
My leg was caught in a tree-root.
Catch
(intransitive) To be held back or impeded.
Be careful your dress doesn't catch on that knob.
His voice caught when he came to his father's name.
Catch
(intransitive) To engage with some mechanism; to stick, to succeed in interacting with something or initiating some process.
Push it in until it catches.
The engine finally caught and roared to life.
Catch
(transitive) To have something be held back or impeded.
I caught my heel on the threshold.
Catch
(intransitive) To make a grasping or snatching motion (at).
He caught at the railing as he fell.
Catch
(transitive) Of fire, to spread or be conveyed to.
The fire spread slowly until it caught the eaves of the barn.
Catch
To grip (the water) with one's oars at the beginning of the stroke.
Catch
To germinate and set down roots.
The seeds caught and grew.
Catch
To contact a wave in such a way that one can ride it back to shore.
Catch
To handle an exception.
When the program catches an exception, this is recorded in the log file.
Catch
(heading) To intercept.
Catch
(transitive) To seize or intercept an object moving through the air (or, sometimes, some other medium).
I will throw you the ball, and you catch it.
Watch me catch this raisin in my mouth.
Catch
To seize (an opportunity) when it occurs.
Catch
To end a player's innings by catching a hit ball before the first bounce.
Townsend hit 29 before he was caught by Wilson.
Catch
To play (a specific period of time) as the catcher.
He caught the last three innings.
Catch
(heading) To receive (by being in the way).
Catch
(transitive) To be the victim of (something unpleasant, painful etc.).
You're going to catch a beating if they find out.
Catch
(transitive) To be touched or affected by (something) through exposure.
The sunlight caught the leaves and the trees turned to gold.
Her hair was caught by the light breeze.
Catch
(transitive) To become infected by (an illness).
Everyone seems to be catching the flu this week.
Catch
(intransitive) To spread by infection or similar means.
Catch
To receive or be affected by (wind, water, fire etc.).
The bucket catches water from the downspout.
The trees caught quickly in the dry wind.
Catch
(transitive) To acquire, as though by infection; to take on through sympathy or infection.
She finally caught the mood of the occasion.
And the next thing I knew, I had caught feelings for her.
Catch
(transitive) To be hit by something.
He caught a bullet in the back of the head last year.
Catch
(intransitive) To serve well or poorly for catching, especially for catching fish.
Catch
To get pregnant.
Well, if you didn't catch this time, we'll have more fun trying again until you do.
Catch
(heading) To take in with one's senses or intellect.
Catch
(transitive) To grasp mentally: perceive and understand.
Did you catch his name?
Did you catch the way she looked at him?
Catch
To take in; to watch or listen to (an entertainment).
I have some free time tonight so I think I'll catch a movie.
Catch
(transitive) To reproduce or echo a spirit or idea faithfully.
You've really caught his determination in this sketch.
Catch
(heading) To seize attention, interest.
Catch
(transitive) To charm or entrance.
Catch
(transitive) To attract and hold (a faculty or organ of sense).
He managed to catch her attention.
The enormous scarf did catch my eye.
Catch
To lay hold on; to seize, especially with the hand; to grasp (anything) in motion, with the effect of holding; as, to catch a ball.
Catch
To seize after pursuing; to arrest; as, to catch a thief.
Catch
To take captive, as in a snare or net, or on a hook; as, to catch a bird or fish.
Catch
Hence: To insnare; to entangle.
Catch
To seize with the senses or the mind; to apprehend; as, to catch a melody.
Catch
To communicate to; to fasten upon; as, the fire caught the adjoining building.
Catch
To engage and attach; to please; to charm.
The soothing arts that catch the fair.
Catch
To get possession of; to attain.
Torment myself to catch the English throne.
Catch
To take or receive; esp. to take by sympathy, contagion, infection, or exposure; as, to catch the spirit of an occasion; to catch the measles or smallpox; to catch cold; the house caught fire.
Catch
To come upon unexpectedly or by surprise; to find; as, to catch one in the act of stealing.
Catch
To reach in time; to come up with; as, to catch a train.
Catch
To attain possession.
Have is have, however men do catch.
Catch
To be held or impeded by entanglement or a light obstruction; as, a kite catches in a tree; a door catches so as not to open.
Catch
To take hold; as, the bolt does not catch.
Catch
To spread by, or as by, infecting; to communicate.
Does the sedition catch from man to man?
Catch
Act of seizing; a grasp.
Catch
That by which anything is caught or temporarily fastened; as, the catch of a gate.
Catch
The posture of seizing; a state of preparation to lay hold of, or of watching he opportunity to seize; as, to lie on the catch.
The common and the canon law . . . lie at catch, and wait advantages one againt another.
Catch
That which is caught or taken; profit; gain; especially, the whole quantity caught or taken at one time; as, a good catch of fish.
Hector shall have a great catch if he knock out either of your brains.
Catch
Something desirable to be caught, esp. a husband or wife in matrimony.
Catch
Passing opportunities seized; snatches.
It has been writ by catches with many intervals.
Catch
A slight remembrance; a trace.
We retain a catch of those pretty stories.
Catch
A humorous canon or round, so contrived that the singers catch up each other's words.
Catch
A hidden drawback;
It sounds good but what's the catch?
Catch
The quantity that was caught;
The catch was only 10 fish
Catch
A person regarded as a good matrimonial prospect
Catch
Anything that is caught (especially if it is worth catching);
He shared his catch with the others
Catch
A break or check in the voice (usually a sign of strong emotion)
Catch
A restraint that checks the motion of something;
He used a book as a stop to hold the door open
Catch
A fastener that fastens or locks a door or window
Catch
A cooperative game in which a ball is passed back and forth;
He played catch with his son in the backyard
Catch
The act of catching an object with the hands;
Mays made the catch with his back to the plate
He made a grab for the ball before it landed
Martin's snatch at the bridle failed and the horse raced away
The infielder's snap and throw was a single motion
Catch
The act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal);
The policeman on the beat got credit for the collar
Catch
Discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state;
She caught her son eating candy
She was caught shoplifting
Catch
Perceive with the senses quickly, suddenly, or momentarily;
I caught the aroma of coffee
He caught the allusion in her glance
Ears open to catch every sound
The dog picked up the scent
Catch a glimpse
Catch
Reach with a blow or hit in a particular spot;
The rock caught her in the back of the head
The blow got him in the back
The punch caught him in the stomach
Catch
Take hold of so as to seize or restrain or stop the motion of;
Catch the ball!
Grab the elevator door!
Catch
Succeed in catching or seizing, especially after a chase;
We finally got the suspect
Did you catch the thief?
Catch
To hook or entangle;
One foot caught in the stirrup
Catch
Attract and fix;
His look caught her
She caught his eye
Catch the attention of the waiter
Catch
Capture as if by hunting, snaring, or trapping;
I caught a rabbit in the trap toady
Catch
Reach in time;
I have to catch a train at 7 o'clock
Catch
Get or regain something necessary, usually quickly or briefly;
Catch some sleep
Catch one's breath
Catch
Catch up with and possibly overtake;
The Rolls Royce caught us near the exit ramp
Catch
Be struck or affected by;
Catch fire
Catch the mood
Catch
Check oneself during an action;
She managed to catch herself before telling her boss what was on her mind
Catch
Hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers;
We overheard the conversation at the next table
Catch
See or watch;
View a show on television
This program will be seen all over the world
View an exhibition
Catch a show on Broadway
See a movie
Catch
Cause to become accidentally or suddenly caught, ensnared, or entangled;
I caught the hem of my dress in the brambles
Catch
Detect a blunder or misstep;
The reporter tripped up the senator
Catch
Grasp with the mind or develop an undersatnding of;
Did you catch that allusion?
We caught something of his theory in the lecture
Don't catch your meaning
Did you get it?
She didn't get the joke
I just don't get him
Catch
Contract;
Did you catch a cold?
Catch
Start burning;
The fire caught
Catch
Perceive by hearing;
I didn't catch your name
She didn't get his name when they met the first time
Catch
Suffer from the receipt of;
She will catch hell for this behavior!
Catch
Attract; cause to be enamored;
She captured all the men's hearts
Catch
Apprehend and reproduce accurately;
She really caught the spirit of the place in her drawings
She got the mood just right in her photographs
Catch
Take in and retain;
We have a big barrel to catch the rainwater
Catch
Spread or be communicated;
The fashion did not catch
Catch
Be the catcher;
Who is catching?
Catch
Become aware of;
He caught her staring out the window
Catch
Delay or hold up; prevent from proceeding on schedule or as planned;
I was caught in traffic and missed the meeting
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