watcher

American  

[woch-er] / ˈwɒtʃ ər /

noun

1. a person who watches or who keeps watch.

2. an analytic observer of trends, fashions, events, celebrities, or the like.

   Fashion watchers will have noted that pleats have become popular again.

3. a professional or experienced observer and analyst of political and historic trends and events, countries, or the like.

   China watchers in the State Department predict a change in that country's trade policy.

4. poll watcher.

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ˈwatcher British  

/ ˈwɒtʃə /

noun

1. a person who watches

2. a person who maintains a vigil at the bedside of an invalid

3. a representative of a candidate or party stationed at a poll on election day to watch out for fraud

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Other Word Forms

• underwatcher noun

Etymology

Origin of watcher

First recorded in 1500–10; watch + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Most Fed watchers and investors also think the central bank will stay in a holding pattern until Powell’s second and last term as chairman ends in May.

From MarketWatch

Economy watchers look to the summaries to get more insights into the central bank’s thinking.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some Washington watchers have praised her for what they call her independence and individualism, while others say her accomplishments fall short of previous first ladies such as Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton and Nancy Reagan.

From Los Angeles Times

Analysts at Morgan Stanley and Macquarie also read the press conference as reinforcing a longer pause, even though many Fed watchers expect modest easing later this year, after Powell’s term as chair ends.

From Barron's

“Unless the labor market weakens further, the Fed appears content to wait for tariff inflation to fade before resuming cuts,” SEB’s Fed watcher Elisabet Kopelman said in a note.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• onlooker