catchy
adj/ˈkæt͡ʃi/ · /ˈkɛt͡ʃi/
Etymology From catch + -y.
1
Of a tune or phrase Instantly appealing and memorable.
- Eric wrote a catchy tune to play on his acoustic guitar while Alyssa plays the drums.
- This hook is so catchy that I can't stop listening to it!
2 more examples
- Because in today's 2,000mph technological freefall, he who coins the catchiest buzzword generally wins the debate by default.2010 August 30, Charlie Brooker, “Buzzwords for blowhards”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 30 May 2023:
- The best of friends become the worst of enemies when Barney makes a hilarious attack ad where he viciously pummels a cardboard cut-out of Homer before special guest star Linda Ronstadt joins the fun to both continue the attack on the helpless Homer stand-in and croon a slanderously accurate, insanely catchy jingle about how “Mr. Plow is a loser/And I think he is a boozer.”2012 June 3, Nathan Rabin, “TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “Mr. Plow” (season 4, episode 9; originally aired 11/19/1992)”, in AV Club, archived from the original on 28 Dec 2012:
2
Dated, Figuratively Tending to catch or ensnare; entangling.
- a catchy question
3
Dated Consisting of, or occurring in, disconnected parts or snatches; changeable.
- a catchy wind
- Encyc. of Sport It [the fox's scent] is […] flighty or catchy, if variable.
4
Contagious; catching.
- The catchy cold which has been transmitted to you directly or indirectly might have been avoided had you been in better physical condition.1941, Florence LaGanke Harris, Hazel Hanna Huston, The New Home Economics Omnibus:
- Derived terms
- catchily, catchiness, uncatchy