watch
verb (used without object)
to be alertly on the lookout, look attentively, or observe, as to see what comes, is done, or happens.
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watch
American
[woch]
/ wɒtʃ /
verb (used without object)
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watches,
present (3rd person singular)
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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.
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to look or wait attentively and expectantly (usually followed byfor ).
to watch for a signal;
to watch for an opportunity.
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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.
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to keep vigil, as for devotional purposes.
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to keep guard.
She was assigned to watch at the door.
verb (used with object)
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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.
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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
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to guard, tend, or oversee, especially for protection or safekeeping.
to watch the baby.
- Synonyms:
- protect
noun
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watches
plural
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close, continuous observation for the purpose of seeing or discovering something.
Their watch for the birds was unrewarding.
- Synonyms:
- attention, inspection
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vigilant guard, as for protection or restraint.
to keep watch for prowlers.
- Synonyms:
- vigil
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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.
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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.
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the officers and crew who attend to the working of a ship for an allotted period of time.
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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.
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a flock of nightingales.
verb phrase
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watch out to be on one's guard; be cautious.
Watch out for cars when you cross the road.
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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
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(intr) to keep vigil
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(tr) to maintain an interest in
to watch the progress of a child at school
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be careful! look out!
noun
-
-
a small portable timepiece, usually worn strapped to the wrist (a wristwatch ) or in a waistcoat pocket
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( as modifier )
a watch spring
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the act or an instance of watching
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a period of vigil, esp during the night
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(formerly) one of a set of periods of any of various lengths into which the night was divided
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nautical
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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
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those officers and crew on duty during a specified watch
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the period during which a guard is on duty
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(formerly) a watchman or band of watchmen
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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
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watchessimple
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have watchedperfect
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has watchedperfect
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am watchingprogressive
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are watchingprogressive
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is watchingprogressive
-
have been watchingperfect progressive
-
has been watchingperfect progressive
Past
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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:
I’ll make it on a weekend if I’m just chilling and want to watch Netflix all day.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 20, 2026
A guy he knew had told him to invest early, but Walker had ignored him, only to watch from the sidelines as the price went up and up and up.
From Slate ● Sep. 20, 2026
“When you watch Joshua Van fight, his expression never changes — he always tries to stay in control. And that proves just how good you are.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026
Despite the two lead characters being 50-something women, Whyte describes Youth as "an inter-generational watch".
From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026
I strolled to watch the stage being set up.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
He volunteered at the city's foodbank and even gave fans gifts, including Rolex watches.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026
The company is selling more items from Ralph Lauren and Coach, as well as watches and fine jewelry at its Bloomingdale’s brand.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026
The average retiree watches 47 hours of television a week, according to consultancy AgeWave.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 10, 2026
Apple also announced updated versions of its entry-level AirPods and smart watches, the latter of which will have improved heart-rate sensors that can be paired with an updated Health app launching later this year.
From Barron's ● Sep. 9, 2026
Most of them selected women’s watches for mothers and sweethearts back home.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
That close finish left Ohanian in disbelief as he watched trackside alongside tennis great Williams and their children, with famous athletes and celebrities also present.
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026
I watched the towers fall while we conducted a search to make sure all employees evacuated.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
But without the draw of series like “Stranger Things” and “The Queen’s Gambit,” which rank among the platform’s most watched shows, the analysts were worried about weakening engagement trends on the platform.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026
While in China, he listened to American bebop and jazz on the radio and watched American films at the movie theater owned by his best friend’s father.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2026
From her windows overlooking the Barteljorisstraat, Tante Jans watched them idling by, gazing aimlessly into the shop windows, most of them young, penniless, and lonesome.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
“You can take a break whenever you want,” he said, watching a small goldfish circle a glass bowl on his desk in the Honghub community.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 20, 2026
Speaking to Lucy Owen on BBC Radio Wales, Evans said watching Rhys win the awards was "an experience I will never ever forget or probably match".
From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026
Experiencing “Fjord” is more like playing a puzzle game than watching a film — viewers will be better served if they remember specific details for later.
From Salon ● Sep. 19, 2026
Cregger’s approach to “Resident Evil” is to seamlessly blend the cinematic with a gaming experience and his adaptation best mimics the feeling of playing an actual game or watching someone else play one.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026
He fell asleep watching the silent green boughs of the First Tree, while Wolf sped out of the cave on some mysterious errand of his own.
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
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.
