Meaning of watch in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions
  3. Noun
    1. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /wɑtʃ/

    US accent Play button

    UK accent Play button

  1. Verb

    watch

    Etymology

    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 attentively

    Examples

    • « watch a basketball game »

    Derived terms

  2. 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. 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. 4. observe with attention

    Examples

    • « They watched as the murderer was executed »

    Derived terms

  5. 5. be vigilant, be on the lookout, be on one's guard, be careful

    Examples

    • « Watch out for pickpockets! »

    Derived terms

  6. 6. observe or determine by looking

    Examples

    • « Watch how the dog chases the cats away »

    Derived terms

  7. 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

  8. Noun

    watch

    Definitions

    1. a small portable timepiece

    Derived terms

  9. 2. a period of time (4 or 2 hours) during which some of a ship's crew are on duty
  10. 3. a purposeful surveillance to guard or observe

    Derived terms

  11. 4. the period during which someone (especially a guard) is on duty
  12. 5. a person employed to watch for something to happen

    Derived terms

  13. 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

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