Watch Definition

wŏch
watched, watches, watching
verb
watched, watches, watching
To stay awake, esp. at night, so as to pray and meditate.
Webster's New World
To look or observe, esp. attentively.
Webster's New World
To be on the alert for; wait for and look for.
To watch one's chance.
Webster's New World
To be on the alert; be on the lookout.
Webster's New World
To stay awake and alert at night; care for or guard something at night.
Webster's New World
noun
watches
The act or fact of keeping awake, esp. of keeping awake and alert, in order to look after, protect, or guard.
Webster's New World
The act of observing closely or the condition of being closely observed; surveillance.
American Heritage
Any of the several periods into which the night was divided in ancient times.
Webster's New World
Close observation for a time, in order to see or find out something.
Webster's New World
A part of the night.
The still watches of the night.
Webster's New World
Antonyms:
idiom
watch it
  • To be careful:

    had to watch it when I stepped onto the ice.

American Heritage
watch (one's) step
  • To act or proceed with care and caution.
  • To behave as is demanded, required, or appropriate.
American Heritage
on the watch
  • watching; on the lookout, as for some thing or person expected
Webster's New World
on someone's watch
  • during the period that a particular person or group is in charge

    unemployment rose on the former mayor's watch

Webster's New World
watch oneself
  • to be careful, cautious, or discreet
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Watch

Noun

Singular:
watch
Plural:
watches

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Watch

Origin of Watch

  • As a verb, from Middle English wacchen, from Old English wæċċan (from the same root as its synonym and doublet wacian, which lead to wake in modern English), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *wakōnÄ…, *wakjanÄ…. Cognate with West Frisian weitsje (“to wake, watch"), Dutch waken (“to wake, watch"), German wachen (“to wake, watch").

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English wacchen from Old English wæccan to watch, be awake weg- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • As a noun, from Middle English wacche, from Old English wæċċe. See below for verb form.

    From Wiktionary

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