adjective
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vigilant or alert
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archaic not sleeping
Related Words
See alert.
Other Word Forms
- self-watchfulness noun
- unwatchful adjective
- unwatchfully adverb
- unwatchfulness noun
- watchfully adverb
- watchfulness noun
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.
Fury had to be watchful at times as Makhmudov did land occasional overhand rights, but the Russian was largely one-dimensional as Fury took a wide decision with scorecards of 120-108, 120-108 and 119-109.
From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026
Certain conversations are had away from Nguyen’s watchful camera, and we’re often only left with the aftermath as BTS tries to make do with the demands on their time and creativity.
From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026
Answers elude the watchful girl even as Ms. Keegan illuminates each telling detail of the land, of farm life and of adult ways.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026
James played for the Miami Heat for four years under the watchful eye of Riley.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2026
All this time the young dog crouched on the hillside, motionless and watchful, although every driving, urgent nerve in his body fretted and strained at the delay.
From "The Incredible Journey" by Sheila Burnford
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.
