latch
noun · verb
Simple meaning
Catch for fastening a door or gate.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
lachIPA pronunciation (US)
ˈlætʃ
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
Catch for fastening a door or gate; a bar that can be lowered or slid into a groove
A fastening for a door that has a bar that fits into a notch or slot, and is lifted by a lever or string from either side.
A breastfeeding baby's connection to the breast.
verb
transitive
To catch; lay hold of.
of a breastfeeding baby
To connect to the breast.
Fasten with a latch
To close or lock as if with a latch.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- B2 · Upper Intermediate (estimated)
- Frequency
- Moderately Common
- Typical Use
- Neutral / general English
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Common Patterns and Combinations
How this word naturally appears with others.
Word Family
Related forms, grouped by how they connect.
Compound terms
Established multiword terms.
Take hold of or attach to.
Spring-loaded doorlock that can only be opened from the outside with a key.
Doorlock operated by a knob on the inside and a key on the outside.
A catch that holds the hood of a car shut.
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.