English

catchy

gb/kˈæt͡ʃi/ us/kˈæt͡ʃi/
B2 English
Senses
0 senses
adjective B2 property
1

pleasant and easy to remember

easy to remember and pleasant to repeat

Usage pattern: [song/tune/slogan/phrase] is catchy
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse catchy with catching. Catchy usually means ‘memorable’, not ‘contagious’.
Synonyms
memorable (Emphasizes being easy to remember; less about being fun or appealing.) | appealing (Broader; can mean attractive without being especially memorable.) | infectious (Often used for music or enthusiasm; suggests it spreads to others (informal/figurative).)
Antonyms
forgettable (Not likely to be remembered.) | unmemorable (Lacks the quality of sticking in the mind.)
Collocations
a catchy tune |a catchy song |a catchy chorus |a catchy hook |a catchy jingle |a catchy slogan |a catchy phrase |a catchy tagline |a catchy title |a catchy beat
Themes
music |advertising |media
Examples
  • The ad worked because it had a catchy slogan.
  • That chorus is so catchy that I’ve been humming it all day.
  • She’s looking for a short, catchy title for her podcast.
Learner examples
  • This song is very catchy.
  • I like the catchy slogan.
adjective B2 property
2

attention-grabbing and attractive

made to get attention quickly

Usage pattern: a catchy [design/logo/headline]
Common mistake:
Catchy can mean ‘attention-grabbing’ even when it is not about sound or music, but it is still common for slogans and titles.
Synonyms
eye-catching (Very close in meaning; focuses strongly on visual impact.) | striking (Often implies strong impact or contrast, not necessarily playful.) | attention-grabbing (Neutral and direct; often used in marketing contexts.)
Antonyms
plain (Not designed to stand out.) | dull (Lacking interest or impact.)
Collocations
a catchy headline |a catchy name |a catchy logo |a catchy design |a catchy poster |a catchy color scheme |a catchy cover |a catchy ad |a catchy campaign |a catchy packaging design
Themes
design |marketing |business
Examples
  • They chose a catchy headline to get more clicks.
  • The product’s packaging is simple but still catchy.
  • We need a catchy name that people will notice immediately.
Learner examples
  • The headline is catchy.
  • She wants a catchy name.
Grammar
Dictionary form
catchy
IPA
GB/kˈæt͡ʃi/
US/kˈæt͡ʃi/
Syllables & stress
catchy (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (catchy)
Word forms
Adjective
  • Base: catchy
  • Comparative: catchier
  • Superlative: catchiest
Word family
Forms
catchier adjective catchiest adjective
Core family
catch verb A1 catchiness noun
Related words
catcher noun catchily adverb
Negative and opposite forms
uncatchy adjective
Advanced or less common
catchable adjective
Expressions

No expressions linked to this entry yet.

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