catchup

1 of 4

noun (1)

catch·​up ˈke-chəp How to pronounce catchup (audio) ˈka- How to pronounce catchup (audio)

less common spelling of ketchup

: a seasoned pureed condiment usually made from tomatoes

catch-up

2 of 4

adjective

ˈkach-ˌəp How to pronounce catch-up (audio)
ˈkech-
: intended to catch up to a theoretical norm or a competitor's accomplishments

catch-up

3 of 4

noun (2)

: the act or fact of catching up or trying to catch up (as with a norm or competitor)
had to play catch-up
also : an increase intended to achieve catch-up

catch up

4 of 4

verb

caught up; catching up; catches up

transitive verb

1
a
: to pick up often abruptly
the thief caught the purse up and ran
b
: ensnare, entangle
education has been caught up in a stultifying mythologyN. M. Pusey
c
: enthrall
the … public was caught up in the car's magicD. A. Jedlicka
2
: to provide with the latest information
catch me up on the news

intransitive verb

1
a
: to travel fast enough to overtake an advance party
The soldier ran to catch up with his unit.
b
: to reach a state of parity (see parity sense 1) or of being able to cope
students who miss class have difficulty catching up
2
: to bring about arrest for illicit activities
the police caught up with the thieves
3
a
: to complete or compensate (see compensate sense 1) for something belatedly
catch up on lost sleep
b
: to acquire belated information
catch up on the news

Examples of catchup in a Sentence

Verb a young idealist who got caught up in the political fanaticism of the times completely caught up in opera ever since he saw La Traviata
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The 2024 catch-up contribution limit for employees aged 50 and over who participate in 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan is $7,500 (up from $6,500 in 2023). Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024 What was supposed to be a quick catch-up turned into a delightful two-hour reunion. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 6 Mar. 2024 As part of that catch-up, hundreds of thousands of units debuted last year, with another million slated for 2024. Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024 If possible, take advantage of the ‘catch-up’ contribution limits for those 50 and older to help supercharge your savings. Amy Wagner and Steve Hruby, The Enquirer, 23 Feb. 2024 Two weeks ago, the King and Sunak exchanged a phone call, which was more of a catch-up than the formal audience that the monarch and prime minister traditionally hold weekly. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 22 Feb. 2024 Store 8 was created when Walmart was scrambling to catch-up with Amazon. Andrew Binns, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024 With the poor shooting first half — only four field goals made —putting them in catch-up mode, the Eagles’ valiant rally feel short. Glenn Graham, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2024 Vanderbilt used the first-half momentum to extend its second-half lead by forcing the Tigers to play a game of catch-up. Jaden Lewis, Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2024
Noun
Those 55 and older can contribute an additional $1,000 as a catch-up contribution. Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2023 Next week's rain potential has shifted slower, so the deficit should grow until potential activity Thu-Sat for a stronger catch-up attempt. David Streit, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2023 Adient and Boeing Encore Interiors set about imagining an elevated short-haul business class: a lie-flat bed, loads of storage for luggage, minibar, library and space for another passenger to join you for a meeting or catch-up. Francesca Street, CNN, 14 Mar. 2023 That catch-up comes courtesy of Courteney Cox's reporter Gale Weathers and arrives after Ghostface has embarked on his latest murder spree. Clark Collis, EW.com, 13 Mar. 2023 Consider inviting someone over for a cathartic catch-up! Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2023 Preceding the inclusion revolution—and a great example of playing digital catch-up—is the issue of privacy. Niv Penso, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2023
Verb
Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams caught up on Matthew Knowles’ boat in flowy ensembles perfect for a day on the water. Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 22 Mar. 2024 The people who caught up with him were patrol of the 16th New York Cavalry that was sent out by a steamboat to catch up Booth. Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024 Willie Brown at 90: Still a political visionary (Jose Luis Villegas/For The Times) Columnist George Skelton caught up this week with Willie Brown, a legend in California politics who made history as the first Black Assembly speaker and the first Black mayor of San Francisco. Laurel Rosenhall, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024 The Hollywood Reporter caught up with Beghe to talk about Voight’s two-episode arc that will continue on in the coming weeks. Demetrius Patterson, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2024 Marie has friends and family who have got caught up in direct sales, and Paulson is one of the infinitesimally small percentage of M.L.M.ers who manage to generate a profitable downline. Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2024 Trending on Billboard Billboard recently caught up with Leiweke-Bodie to discuss the opening of Coop Live and detail OVG’s near-term expansion plans around the globe. Dave Brooks, Billboard, 19 Mar. 2024 Saturday Night Live host Josh Brolin teamed up with Heidi Gardner to play bank customers caught up in a heist who use their kinkiness to help get the robbers to abandon their mission. William Vaillancourt, Rolling Stone, 10 Mar. 2024 Kravitz recently graced the cover of PEOPLE in February, and Momoa, who caught up with PEOPLE to talk about his new ad for Guinness, couldn’t have been more effusive about his pal. Alex Ross, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'catchup.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

see catch entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1879, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1885, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of catchup was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near catchup

Cite this Entry

“Catchup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catchup. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

catchup

1 of 2

variant of ketchup

catch up

2 of 2 verb
1
: to pick up suddenly or quickly
caught the mouse up by the tail
2
: to go fast enough to get even with someone ahead
trying to catch up with the rest of the class
3
: to bring oneself up to date
have to catch up on my homework
catch up on the news
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