noun

latch

lach

noun

A simple fastening for a door or gate, worked by a bar or lever.

"She lifted the latch and pushed the gate open."

verb

To fasten or close something with a latch.

"Make sure you latch the door behind you."

To grab onto or fix firmly onto something, often figuratively.

"The idea latched onto his mind and wouldn't let go."

"The baby latched onto the bottle straight away."

How to Use Latch

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA simple catch that keeps a door shut, or the act of grabbing hold of something.

Common mistake

"Latch onto" (attach firmly to an idea, person, or object) is often used figuratively, not just literally.

Common pairings

lift the latch latch onto an idea a good latch (breastfeeding)

latched past tense, laught past tense, latched past tense, latches plural, latches singular, latches singular

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She lifted the _____ and pushed the gate open.

From Old English læċċan, meaning "to grasp or seize".

tch etch itch Dutch catch batch pitch watch witch hutch hatch ditch