Meaning of watch in English
Table of contents
Verb
watchEtymology
Old English wæcce ‘watchfulness’, wæccende ‘remaining awake’; related to wake. The sense ‘small timepiece’ probably developed by way of a sense ‘alarm device attached to a clock’Definitions
1. look attentivelyExamples
- « watch a basketball game »
Derived terms
- 2. follow with the eyes or the mind
Examples
- « Keep an eye on the baby, please! »
- « The world is watching Sarajevo »
- « She followed the men with the binoculars »
Derived terms
- 3. see or watch
Examples
- « view a show on television »
- « This program will be seen all over the world »
- « view an exhibition »
- « Catch a show on Broadway »
- « see a movie »
Derived terms
- 4. observe with attention
Examples
- « They watched as the murderer was executed »
Derived terms
- 5. be vigilant, be on the lookout, be on one's guard, be careful
Examples
- « Watch out for pickpockets! »
Derived terms
- 6. observe or determine by looking
Examples
- « Watch how the dog chases the cats away »
Derived terms
- 7. find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort
Examples
- « I want to see whether she speaks French »
- « See whether it works »
- « find out if he speaks Russian »
- « Check whether the train leaves on time »
Derived terms
Noun
watchDefinitions
1. a small portable timepieceDerived terms
- 2. a period of time (4 or 2 hours) during which some of a ship's crew are on duty
- 3. a purposeful surveillance to guard or observe
Derived terms
- 4. the period during which someone (especially a guard) is on duty
- 5. a person employed to watch for something to happen
Derived terms
- 6. a devotional watch (especially on the eve of a religious festival)
Famous quotes
- « I was a big fan of 'The Smurfs' growing up, even though by default - my mom used to force me to watch because she was a 'Smurfs' fan. » Jayma Mays
- « I've always been a guy who wants to play sports, not watch them. » Shaun White
- « Why would I retire? Sit at home and watch TV? No thanks. I'd rather be out playing. » Paul McCartney
- « Maybe if everybody in leadership was a woman, you might not get into the conflicts in the first place. But if you watch the women who have made it to the top, they haven't exactly been non-aggressive - including me. » Madeleine Albright
- « Taking time to sit back and watch and think about what you've seen is important. Traveling did a great deal to me. I found that when I travel and just sit in the corner and watch, a million ideas come to me. » Lionel Richie