adjective
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vigilant or alert
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archaic not sleeping
Synonym Usage
See alert.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of watchful
Explanation
To be watchful is to be alert and aware. A watchful dog might keep an eye on the sidewalk in front of your house all afternoon. The adjective watchful is good for describing someone who keeps an attentive eye on things. A watchful teacher, for example, knows immediately when a student is being teased, and a watchful driver is quick to stop for a pedestrian crossing the street. When you're on the lookout, you're being watchful. The word comes from the Middle English waccheful, which used to have an alternate meaning of "wakeful" or "sleepless."
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.
The talks are taking place seven months after US forces seized president Nicolas Maduro and as interim leader Delcy Rodriguez governs under Washington's watchful eye.
From Barron's ● Aug. 6, 2026
“This is a period of watchful thinking,” Warsh told reporters.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 4, 2026
One of the more unexpected findings was that human infrastructure, including roads and settlements, sometimes caused animals to become less watchful.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 15, 2026
The author, restrained and watchful, proves the exception.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
As we went shopping for bulk foods or kicked sand at the beach, we were always thinking about the invisible viewers who hovered around us like a band of watchful angels.
From "Landscape with Invisible Hand" by M.T. Anderson
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.
