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

The party congress offers a rare glimpse into the structure of political power in North Korea, which remains highly secretive even to the keenest watchers.

From BBC

But if you ask weather watchers about the situation, a different picture emerges.

From BBC

Chart watchers contend that a trend will stay in force until there is a definite sign that it has ended.

From MarketWatch

Some Berkshire watchers thought that stock picker Todd Combs built the company’s Amazon stake, so the share sale may reflect his departure.

From Barron's

Berkshire doesn’t disclose which equity holdings are associated with which Berkshire manager but some Berkshire watchers thought the Amazon stake had been accumulated by Combs.

From Barron's

Related Words

• onlooker