watch
verb (used without object)
to be alertly on the lookout, look attentively, or observe, as to see what comes, is done, or happens.
watch
American
[woch]
/ wɒtʃ /
verb (used without object)
-
watches,
present (3rd person singular)
-
watched,
past participle, past
-
watching
present participle
-
to be alertly on the lookout, look attentively, or observe, as to see what comes, is done, or happens.
to watch while an experiment is performed.
-
to look or wait attentively and expectantly (usually followed byfor ).
to watch for a signal;
to watch for an opportunity.
-
to be careful or cautious.
Watch when you cross the street.
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to keep awake, especially for a purpose; remain vigilant, as for protection or safekeeping.
to watch with a sick person.
-
to keep vigil, as for devotional purposes.
-
to keep guard.
She was assigned to watch at the door.
verb (used with object)
-
watches,
present (3rd person singular)
-
watched,
past participle, past
-
watching
present participle
-
to keep under attentive view or observation, as in order to see or learn something; view attentively or with interest: to watch a football game.
to watch a play;
to watch a football game.
-
to contemplate or regard mentally.
to watch his progress.
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to look or wait attentively and expectantly for.
to watch one's opportunity.
- Synonyms:
- await
-
to guard, tend, or oversee, especially for protection or safekeeping.
to watch the baby.
- Synonyms:
- protect
noun
-
watches
plural
-
close, continuous observation for the purpose of seeing or discovering something.
Their watch for the birds was unrewarding.
- Synonyms:
- attention, inspection
-
vigilant guard, as for protection or restraint.
to keep watch for prowlers.
- Synonyms:
- vigil
-
a keeping awake for some special purpose.
a watch beside a sickbed.
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a period of time for watching or keeping guard.
to stand the first watch.
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a small, portable timepiece, as a wrist watch or pocket watch.
-
a chronometer.
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Nautical.
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a period of time, usually four hours, during which one part of a ship's crew is on duty, taking turns with another part.
-
the officers and crew who attend to the working of a ship for an allotted period of time.
-
-
one of the periods, usually three or four, into which the night was divided in ancient times, as by the Greeks or Hebrews.
the fourth watch of the night.
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a person or group that watches, as a lookout, guard, or sentinel.
A watch was posted at sunset.
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Also called storm watch. Meteorology. an announcement from the U.S. National Weather Service alerting the public that dangerous weather conditions are a possibility and that vigilance and precautionary preparations are advised: tornado watch.
hurricane watch;
tornado watch.
-
a flock of nightingales.
verb phrase
-
watch out to be on one's guard; be cautious.
Watch out for cars when you cross the road.
-
watch over to guard for protection or safekeeping.
She watched over us like a mother hen over her brood.
watch
1
British
/ wɒtʃ /
verb
-
to look at or observe closely or attentively
-
to wait attentively or expectantly
-
to guard or tend (something) closely or carefully
-
(intr) to keep vigil
-
(tr) to maintain an interest in
to watch the progress of a child at school
-
be careful! look out!
noun
-
-
a small portable timepiece, usually worn strapped to the wrist (a wristwatch ) or in a waistcoat pocket
-
( as modifier )
a watch spring
-
-
the act or an instance of watching
-
a period of vigil, esp during the night
-
(formerly) one of a set of periods of any of various lengths into which the night was divided
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nautical
-
any of the usually four-hour periods beginning at midnight and again at noon during which part of a ship's crew are on duty
-
those officers and crew on duty during a specified watch
-
-
the period during which a guard is on duty
-
(formerly) a watchman or band of watchmen
-
on the lookout; alert
-watch
2
British
suffix
watch
More Idioms
Synonym Usage
Watch, look, see imply being aware of things around one by perceiving them through the eyes. To watch is to be a spectator, to look on or observe, or to fix the attention upon during passage of time: to watch while a procession passes. To look is to direct the gaze with the intention of seeing, to use the eyesight with attention: to look for violets in the spring; to look at articles displayed for sale. To see is to perceive with the eyes, to obtain a visual impression, with or without fixing the attention: animals able to see in the dark.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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watchsimple
-
watchessimple
-
have watchedperfect
-
has watchedperfect
-
am watchingprogressive
-
are watchingprogressive
-
is watchingprogressive
-
have been watchingperfect progressive
-
has been watchingperfect progressive
Past
-
watchedsimple
-
had watchedperfect
-
was watchingprogressive
-
were watchingprogressive
-
had been watchingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of watch
First recorded before 900; 1580–90 watch for def. 15; (verb) Middle English wacchen, Old English wæccan, doublet of wacian “to be awake”; (noun) Middle English wacche, Old English wæcce, derivative of wæccan; see wake 1
Explanation
When you watch something, you observe it or guard it — like when you watch the latest episode of your favorite television show or when you watch your baby cousin. You use the word watch (rather than look) when you'll be observing for a while, and with some care. If you agree to watch your neighbor's puppy, it means that you've promised to observe him carefully and make sure he doesn't get into trouble. When watch is a noun, it is the timepiece you wear on your wrist. Many people use their cell phones to get the time of day, instead of their watches.
Vocabulary lists containing watch
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Here is a signal to watch for in the meantime: See if the term “funding gap” returns to the market’s vernacular.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 27, 2026
But there’s something deeper at work in our brains when we watch a robot trip over its own feet.
From Slate ● Sep. 27, 2026
"But people who are really passionate are still trying to maintain these single-screen theatres, where people come to watch and celebrate cinema," he told AFP.
From Barron's ● Sep. 27, 2026
“I usually don’t watch the DBs,” Donald said, “but he caught my eye. He’s something special.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 26, 2026
And then I would hear him say: “Lord, You turn the wheels of the galaxies. You know what makes the planets spin and You know what makes this watch run. . . .”
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
“He’s so cerebral, he watches so much film,” Pedroza said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2026
Foster bought high-end watches and cars with his share of the proceeds while many victims told NTS investigators they had been left financially and emotionally devastated, and felt humiliated and betrayed.
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026
People who live through the harrowing experience join a little-known fraternity where members get silk ties and $5,000 watches.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026
Wealthier consumers continue to partake in what some Fed officials this year have called “unapologetic luxury,” driving up prices for jewelry, watches and other items in the process.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026
This was a triangle-shaped wooden sign advertising alpina watches that I had placed in the dining room window.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
Some watched models carry crocodile handbags—revived from a 1920s design and finished with clasps featuring onyx—down the runway at Prada’s womenswear show last week.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026
That is partly what happened with Mundhe, whose inspection videos have turned routine enforcement into a widely watched spectacle.
From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2026
When we watched TV together, Noah would pause to point out:
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2026
Taps said he watched his parents struggle during the 2008 financial crisis, so he plays it safe with his investments.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 24, 2026
We watched women who had lost everything grow rich in hope.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
What surprised her wasn’t only the number of people watching, but what some of those viewers saw in her.
From Salon ● Sep. 27, 2026
"My mam, sister and the girlfriend all flew up to Edinburgh and came to watch. My uncle, my grandpa, were all watching from home."
From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2026
"The theatre came up in the 1970s... I was so happy when it opened," said Manjunath, watching as seats were ripped out and strewn outside.
From Barron's ● Sep. 27, 2026
What are the top three things you are watching?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026
All I know is that I am watching Theo and he doesn’t realize it, and he reaches up to brush a hand—smudged with graphite, precise architect hands—across his cheek.
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
