DictionaryAI

watch

SayWOCH/ˈwɔt͡ʃ//ˈwɒt͡ʃ/

Verbwatches, watching, watched

Noun pluralwatches

Often confused with see and look

15 meanings of watch

Practice

  1. 1
    verbtransitive or intransitive
    To look at someone or something for a while.

    Like keeping your eyes on a show from start to finish.

    We watch movies together every Friday night.

    She watched the birds in the garden for an hour.

    UsageWatch TV or a game, but look at a photo.

    Similarsee, view, observe, witness

    Note
  2. 2
    observe changesverbtransitive
    To keep your eyes on something so you notice what it does.

    Like a cat keeping its eyes on a mouse hole.

    Doctors watch the patient closely for any change.

    She watched the stock prices all afternoon.

    UsageSay watch what happens or watch how I do it.

    Similarobserve, monitor, track, follow, study

    Oppositeignore, disregard, neglect

    Note
  3. 3
    timepiecenouncountable
    A small clock you wear on your wrist or carry with you.

    Like a tiny clock that goes with you everywhere.

    She checked her watch to see if she was late.

    He bought a new watch for his birthday.

    UsageYou wear or carry a watch. A clock can be on a wall, beside your bed, or on your phone.

    Similartimepiece

    Note
  4. 4
    look afterverbtransitive
    To take care of someone or something and keep them safe.

    Like a babysitter taking care of kids while their parents are out.

    Can you watch my bag while I buy tickets?

    She watched the children at the pool all afternoon.

    UsageAsk can you watch my bag?

    Similarmind, guard, tend, supervise, protect

    Oppositeneglect

    Note
  5. 5
    verbtransitive
    To be careful about something or someone that could cause harm, as in watch your step.

    Like keeping away from a dog that might bite.

    Watch the icy steps when you go outside.

    Watch that dog, because it sometimes bites people it doesn't know.

    UsageSay watch your step as a warning.

    Similarmind, beware

    Oppositeignore, disregard

  6. 6
    verbtransitive
    To stay alert and look out for something that might happen, as in watch for the bus.
    [S]he had reason to dread that her husband had formed a very criminal project of being revenged on Zeluco, and watched an opportunity of putting it in execution.
    1789, John Moore, ZelucoHere, watched means stayed alert and looked out for a chance.
    Note
  7. 7
    nouncountable
    The act of looking at something for a while.

    Like sitting and looking at something from beginning to end.

    The movie was a fun watch from start to finish.

    That show is a good watch if you like mysteries.

    UsageSay a movie is a good watch.

    Similarobservation, viewing

    Note
  8. 8
    nouncountable or uncountable
    The job of guarding or keeping an eye on someone or something, as in keep watch.

    Like a guard staying awake to keep a place safe.

    The soldiers kept watch over the camp all night.

    The farmer's dog keeps watch over the sheep.

    UsageSay keep watch over something.

    Similarvigil

    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of watch apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 3, 7–11

The noun comes from Old English "wæċċe", through Middle English "wacche".

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

  • The noun watch derives ultimately from Old English wæċċe. en.wiktionary.org
  • Middle English wacche is the intermediate form between Old English wæċċe and the modern noun watch. en.wiktionary.org
Meanings 1–2, 4–6, 12–13

The verb comes from Old English "wæċċan", which goes back to old Germanic words meaning to wake or awaken.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts