Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [lach on-too, awn-]
- /lætʃ ˈɒn tu, ˈɔn-/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [lach on-too, awn-]
- /lætʃ ˈɒn tu, ˈɔn-/
Definitions of latch onto words
- noun latch onto a device for holding a door, gate, or the like, closed, consisting basically of a bar falling or sliding into a catch, groove, hole, etc. 1
- verb with object latch onto to close or fasten with a latch. 1
- verb without object latch onto to close tightly so that the latch is secured: The door won't latch. 1
- phrasal verb latch onto If someone latches onto a person or an idea or latches on, they become very interested in the person or idea, often finding them so useful that they do not want to leave them. 0
- phrasal verb latch onto In sports such as football or rugby, if a player latches onto a pass or another player's mistake, they use the opportunity to do something such as score a goal. 0
- phrasal verb latch onto If one thing latches onto another, or if it latches on, it attaches itself to it and becomes part of it. 0
Information block about the term
Origin of latch onto
First appearance:
before 950 One of the 4% oldest English words
before 950; 1930-35 for def 5; Middle English lacchen, Old English lǣccan to take hold of, catch, seize; akin to Greek lázesthai to take
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Latch onto
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
latch onto popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 88% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
latch onto usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for latch onto
verb latch onto
- incorporate — to form into a legal corporation.
- get — to receive or come to have possession, use, or enjoyment of: to get a birthday present; to get a pension.
- assimilate — When people such as immigrants assimilate into a community or when that community assimilates them, they become an accepted part of it.
- learn — to acquire knowledge of or skill in by study, instruction, or experience: to learn French; to learn to ski.
- understand — to perceive the meaning of; grasp the idea of; comprehend: to understand Spanish; I didn't understand your question.
Antonyms for latch onto
verb latch onto
- misunderstand — to take (words, statements, etc.) in a wrong sense; understand wrongly.
- disperse — to drive or send off in various directions; scatter: to disperse a crowd.
- spew — to discharge the contents of the stomach through the mouth; vomit.
- vomit — to eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth; regurgitate; throw up.
- distract — to draw away or divert, as the mind or attention: The music distracted him from his work.
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with l
- Words starting with la
- Words starting with lat
- Words starting with latc
- Words starting with latch
- Words starting with latcho
- Words starting with latchon
- Words starting with latchont
- Words starting with latchonto