Definition

1. Verb:
   • To go to a place and bring something or someone back: The primary meaning of "fetch" is to go to where something or someone is, get it/them, and return with it/them.
   • To be sold for a particular price: "Fetch" can also mean to achieve a specific selling price, especially at an auction or sale.
   • To cause to come or happen: In older or literary usage, "fetch" can mean to cause something to happen, such as drawing out a reaction (e.g., tears, a sigh).

Usage Examples

• Verb (To go and bring back):

  • Could you fetch me a glass of water from the kitchen?
  • The dog is trained to fetch the ball when it is thrown.
  • I need to fetch my coat from the other room.

• Verb (To be sold for a price):

  • The rare stamp is expected to fetch over a thousand dollars at auction.
  • Vintage cars can fetch a high price from collectors.

• Verb (To cause to come):

  • The sad story fetched tears from the audience. (This usage is less common in modern, everyday English.)

Advanced Usage

• "Fetch and carry": To perform menial tasks or run errands for someone, often implying subservience.

  • He spent the summer fetching and carrying for the senior executives.

• "Fetch up" (informal, chiefly British): To arrive or end up at a place, often unexpectedly.

  • After wandering for an hour, we fetched up at a small café.

• "Fetch a sigh" (archaic/literary): To heave or let out a sigh.

  • She fetched a deep sigh of relief.

Variants and Related Words

• Fetching (adjective): Attractive or charming in appearance.
  • She wore a fetching hat to the party.

Synonyms

• Retrieve: To get or bring something back.
• Get: To go and obtain.
• Bring: To carry or convey to a place.
• Go for: To go somewhere to get something.
• Command (a price): To achieve a certain selling price.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Fetch out: To cause something to become visible or apparent; to bring out.

  • The sunlight fetches out the true color of the fabric.

• Fetch in: To bring inside.

  • Please fetch in the washing before it rains.

• Fetch away (nautical/archaic): To become loose or break free.

  • The cargo fetched away during the storm.

Related Idioms

• "Far-fetched": Unlikely or difficult to believe; improbable.

  • His excuse for being late was far-fetched.

• "Fetch a compass" (archaic): To make a circuit or a wide detour.

  • They fetched a compass around the mountain to avoid the main road.

Noun

1. the action of fetching

Verb

1. take away or remove
   • The devil will fetch you!
2. be sold for a certain price
   • The painting brought $10,000
   • The old print fetched a high price at the auction
3. go or come after and bring or take back
   • Get me those books over there, please
   • Could you bring the wine?
   • The dog fetched the hat