watcher

[woch-er]

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.

ˈwatcher

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• underwatcher noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of watcher¹

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

Example Sentences

Some media watchers have said they believe Paramount’s interest could trigger competing bids from other parties, including Netflix Inc.

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As both the S&P 500 and gold prices continue their climb, however, market watchers are starting to grow wary.

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Some politics watchers say technology and media investors could be underestimating the impact—and scope—of levies facing those industries.

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But even that might not be the forcing mechanism some policy watchers think it is, says Stephen Myrow, managing partner with Beacon Policy Advisors.

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That view isn’t especially heretical among some Fed watchers, given disagreements about the role the Fed’s balance sheet plays in the markets.

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Related Words

• onlooker