catchpenny: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, slightly archaic, sometimes pejorative
Quick answer
What does “catchpenny” mean?
Designed to sell quickly and cheaply.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Designed to sell quickly and cheaply; something of little value made to appear attractive to buyers.
A thing or scheme designed primarily to make quick money by appealing to popular taste or exploiting a trend, often with a connotation of being shallow, meretricious, or deceptive.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major difference in definition or usage. The word is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Both share the core pejorative connotation of cheapness and exploitativeness.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both dialects. More likely encountered in historical texts or specific critical commentary than in everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “catchpenny” in a Sentence
[catchpenny] + noun (functioning as an attributive adjective)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “catchpenny” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The market was full of catchpenny souvenirs for tourists.
American English
- The studio was known for its catchpenny horror films in the 1950s.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used critically to describe low-quality, high-markup products designed for quick turnover.
Academic
Rare; might appear in cultural studies or media criticism analysing popular culture.
Everyday
Very rare. If used, it's to dismiss something as cheaply commercial.
Technical
Not used in technical fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “catchpenny”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “catchpenny”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “catchpenny”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'They catchpennied the public'). It is almost exclusively an adjective.
- Confusing it with 'catchy,' which is more neutral and refers to memorability (e.g., a catchy tune).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency word. You are more likely to encounter synonyms like 'cheap' or 'tacky' in everyday speech.
Historically, yes, it could refer to the cheap item itself ("a mere catchpenny"), but its modern use is overwhelmingly as an adjective.
It originates from the verb 'catch' and the noun 'penny,' literally meaning 'to catch a penny,' and has been used since the 18th century to describe things made to secure small, quick profits.
Yes, it carries a consistently pejorative or dismissive connotation, implying a lack of value, sincerity, or quality.
Designed to sell quickly and cheaply.
Catchpenny is usually informal, slightly archaic, sometimes pejorative in register.
Catchpenny: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkatʃpɛni/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkætʃˌpɛni/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a catchpenny world”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a street vendor trying to CATCH your attention to sell you something for just a PENNY. It's cheap and designed for a quick sale.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMERCE IS DECEPTION / QUALITY IS DEPTH
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a 'catchpenny' product?