watch

/wɑtʃ/

/wɒtʃ/

Other forms: watched; watching; watches

When you watch something, you observe it or guard it — like when you watch the latest episode of your favorite television show or when you watch your baby cousin.

You use the word watch (rather than look) when you'll be observing for a while, and with some care. If you agree to watch your neighbor's puppy, it means that you've promised to observe him carefully and make sure he doesn't get into trouble. When watch is a noun, it is the timepiece you wear on your wrist. Many people use their cell phones to get the time of day, instead of their watches.

Definitions of watch

1. verb

   look attentively
   “watch a basketball game”

   types:

   witness

   be a witness to

   rubberneck

   strain to watch; stare curiously

   catch, see, take in, view

   see or watch

   observe

   watch attentively

   bird, birdwatch

   watch and study birds in their natural habitat

   eyewitness

   be present at an event and see it with one's own eyes

   visualise, visualize

   view the outline of by means of an X-ray

   spectate

   be a spectator in a sports event

   preview

   watch (a movie or play) before it is released to the general public

   monitor, supervise

   keep tabs on; keep an eye on; keep under surveillance

   monitor

   check, track, or observe by means of a receiver

   reconnoiter, reconnoitre, scout

   explore, often with the goal of finding something or somebody

   track

   observe or plot the moving path of something

   preview

   see or inspect in a preliminary way or in advance
2. verb

   observe with attention
   synonyms: look on

   types:

   sit back, sit by

   be inactive or indifferent while something is happening
3. verb

   see or watch
   synonyms: catch, see, take in, view

   see

   perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

   types:

   visualise, visualize

   view the outline of by means of an X-ray

   spectate

   be a spectator in a sports event

   preview

   watch (a movie or play) before it is released to the general public

   preview

   see or inspect in a preliminary way or in advance

   image

   render visible, as by means of MRI
4. verb

   follow with the eyes or the mind
   “The world is watching Sarajevo”

   synonyms: follow, keep an eye on, observe, watch over

   follow, trace

   follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something

   types:

   keep tabs on

   keep a record on or watch attentively

   guard

   keep watch over

   invigilate, proctor

   watch over (students taking an exam, to prevent cheating)

   patrol, police

   maintain the security of by carrying out a patrol

   keep guard, stand guard, stand sentinel, stand watch

   watch over so as to protect

   baby-sit, sit

   work or act as a baby-sitter

   baby-sit

   take watchful responsibility for

   type of:

   check, check into, check out, check over, check up on, go over, look into, suss out

   examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
5. verb

   be vigilant, be on the lookout or be careful
   “Watch out for pickpockets!”

   synonyms: look out, watch out

   types:

   beware, mind

   be on one's guard; be cautious or wary about; be alert to

   keep one's eyes open, keep one's eyes peeled, keep one's eyes skinned

   pay attention; be watchful

   look after

   keep under careful scrutiny
6. verb

   observe or determine by looking
   “Watch how the dog chases the cats away”
7. verb

   find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort
   synonyms: ascertain, check, determine, find out, learn, see

   ascertain, assure, check, control, ensure, insure, see, see to it

   be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something

   ascertain, determine, find, find out

   establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study

   types:

   test

   determine the presence or properties of (a substance)
8. noun

   a purposeful surveillance to guard or observe
   synonyms: vigil

   types:

   continuous receiver watch, listening watch

   a watch established for the reception of traffic of interest to the unit maintaining the watch

   spying

   keeping a secret or furtive watch

   type of:

   surveillance

   close observation of a person or group (usually by the police)
9. noun

   the period during which someone (especially a guard) is on duty
   type of:

   period, period of time, time period

   an amount of time
10. noun

    a period of time (4 or 2 hours) during which some of a ship's crew are on duty
    types:

    dogwatch

    either of two short watches: from 4-6 pm or 6-8 pm

    graveyard watch, middle watch, midwatch, night watch

    a watch during the night (as from midnight to 8 a.m.)

    type of:

    duty period, shift, work shift

    the time period during which you are at work
11. noun

    a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
    synonyms: lookout, lookout man, picket, scout, sentinel, sentry, spotter

    type of:

    security guard, watcher, watchman

    a guard who keeps watch
12. noun

    a small portable timepiece
    synonyms: ticker

    types:

    analog watch

    a watch that represents time by the position of hands on a dial

    digital watch

    a watch with a digital display

    hunter, hunting watch

    a watch with a hinged metal lid to protect the crystal

    pendulum watch

    (18th century) a watch with a balance wheel having a fake pendulum attached to it

    pocket watch

    a watch that is carried in a small watch pocket

    stem-winder

    a watch that is wound by turning a knob at the stem

    wrist watch, wristwatch

    a watch that is worn strapped to the wrist

    type of:

    horologe, timekeeper, timepiece

    a measuring instrument or device for keeping time
13. noun

    the rite of staying awake for devotional purposes (especially on the eve of a religious festival)
    synonyms: vigil

    types:

    viewing, wake

    a vigil held over a corpse the night before burial

    agrypnia

    a vigil before certain feasts (as e.g. Easter)

    type of:

    religious rite, rite

    an established ceremony prescribed by a religion