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Definition of catchy

catchy

/ˈkætʃ.i/
catch · y
Adverb:catchily
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catchy Lexical Profile

catchy Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Instantly appealing, attention-grabbing, and easy to remember, especially in reference to a tune, phrase, or title.

Example

"The advertising agency came up with a catchy slogan that consumers remembered for years."

2

Containing hidden difficulties or traps; tricky or deceptive.

Example

"The exam contained several catchy questions designed to test whether students had read the material carefully."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for catchy

• Nearby Words

catchment
catchphrase
catchword
catchy
catechism
categorical
categorically

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the early 17th century, formed in English from the verb 'catch' and the adjective suffix '-y'. It originally meant 'tricky' or 'designed to ensnare' before developing its modern positive sense of 'instantly appealing and memorable' in the mid-19th century.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Catchy. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/catchy
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