Catchpenny definitions Webster's 1828 Dictionary CATCHPENNY, n. Something worthless, particularly a book or pamphlet, adapted to ... adj 1: designed to sell quickly without concern for quality; "catchpenny ornaments" Merriam Webster's adjective Date: 1748 using sensationalism or cheapness for appeal < a catchpenny newspaper > Oxford Reference Dictionary adj. intended merely to sell quickly; superficially attractive. Webster's 1913 Dictionary Catchpenny Catch"pen*ny, a. Made or contrived for getting small ... sums of money from the ignorant or unwary; as, a catchpenny book; a catchpenny show. -- n. Some worthless catchpenny thing.