Someone who is watchful notices everything that is happening.
The best thing is to be watchful and see the doctor for any change in your health.
He looked tall and powerful and, with his dark, watchful face, a little threatening.
Synonyms: alert, attentive, vigilant, observant More Synonyms of watchful
2.
See under the watchful eye of
3.
See to keep a watchful eye on
watchful in British English
(ˈwɒtʃfʊl)
adjective
1.
vigilant or alert
2. archaic
not sleeping
Derived forms
watchfully (ˈwatchfully)
adverb
watchfulness (ˈwatchfulness)
noun
watchful in American English
(wɑtʃfəl; wɔtʃfəl)
adjective
1.
watching closely; vigilant; alert
2.
characterized by vigilance
3. Archaic
wakeful; unsleeping
SYNONYMY NOTE: watchful is the general word implying a being observant and prepared, as to ward off dangeror seize an opportunity [under the watchful eye of her guardian]; vigilant implies an active, keen watchfulness and connotes the immediate necessity for this[a vigilant sentry]; alert implies a quick intelligence and a readiness to take prompt action [alert to the danger that confronted them]; wide-awake more often implies an alertness to opportunities than to dangers and connotes anawareness of all the surrounding circumstances [a wide-awake young salesman]
Derived forms
watchfully (ˈwatchfully)
adverb
watchfulness (ˈwatchfulness)
noun
Examples of 'watchful' in a sentence
watchful
His shoulders are hunched, eyes watchful.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I glance up at those four watchful eyes.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They will be keeping a watchful eye on their friend to make sure Jade is eating properly and taking care of herself.
The Sun (2016)
Instead she reminds me of a bird: tiny with dark watchful eyes ; no clowning.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Keep a watchful eye for the myriad beauties of life.
Lumsden, Robert 23 Steps to Successful Achievement (1972)
Cutting corners might be a shortcut to trouble, so always stay alert and watchful.
Lamplugh, Diana & Sterwin, Diana & Nottidge, Pamela Survive the Nine to Five - a woman's guide to working well (1989)
The cat on the left has a watchful, almost wary stare.
Bennett, Darren Learn to Draw Cats (1999)
I love the fact that one of our most famous singers is keeping a watchful eye on democracy.
The Sun (2010)
The union will remain watchful.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Under watchful Chinese eyes, of course.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
To begin with, her eyes are wary and watchful; her answers are cautious.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
But for years he was only able to take pictures as a dangerous hobby, under the watchful eye of the Russian secret police.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
But I visited last September and they were not keeping such a watchful eye.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
watchful
British English: watchful ADJECTIVE
Someone who is watchful notices everything that is happening.
The best thing is to be watchful and see the family doctor for any change in your normal health.
American English: watchful
Brazilian Portuguese: vigilante
Chinese: 警觉的
European Spanish: vigilante
French: vigilant
German: wachsam
Italian: attento
Japanese: 油断のない
Korean: 경계하는
European Portuguese: vigilante
Latin American Spanish: vigilante
(adjective)
Definition
carefully observing everything that happens
Children swam at the pool, under the watchful eye of the lifeguards.
Synonyms
alert
He had been spotted by an alert neighbour.
attentive
I wish you would be more attentive to detail.
vigilant
Police warned the public to be vigilant and report anything suspicious.
observant
An observant doctor can detect symptoms from expression and posture.
guarded
The boy gave him a guarded reply.
suspicious
wary
Keep a wary eye on children when they are playing near water.
on the lookout
circumspect
You should have been more circumspect in your dealings with him.
wide awake
You need to stay alert and wide awake to avoid accidents as you drive.
on your toes
on your guard
on the watch
on the qui vive
heedful
Opposites
unaware
,
reckless
,
careless
,
unwary
,
thoughtless
,
unguarded
,
inattentive
,
unmindful
,
unobservant
Additional synonyms
in the sense of attentive
Definition
paying close attention
I wish you would be more attentive to detail.
Synonyms
intent,
listening,
concentrating,
careful,
alert,
awake,
mindful,
watchful,
observant,
studious,
on your toes,
heedful,
regardful
in the sense of circumspect
Definition
cautious and careful not to take risks
You should have been more circumspect in your dealings with him.
Synonyms
cautious,
politic,
guarded,
careful,
wary,
discriminating,
discreet,
sage,
prudent,
canny,
attentive,
vigilant,
watchful,
judicious,
observant,
sagacious (formal),
heedful
in the sense of guarded
Definition
cautious and avoiding any commitment
The boy gave him a guarded reply.
Synonyms
cautious,
reserved,
careful,
suspicious,
restrained,
wary,
discreet,
prudent,
reticent,
circumspect,
cagey (informal),
leery (slang),
noncommittal
Synonyms of 'watchful'
watchful
Explore 'watchful' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of heedful
Synonyms
careful,
cautious,
wary,
prudent,
attentive,
vigilant,
mindful,
watchful,
circumspect,
observant,
chary
in the sense of observant
Definition
quick to notice details around one
An observant doctor can detect symptoms from expression and posture.
Synonyms
attentive,
quick,
alert,
perceptive,
concentrating,
careful,
vigilant,
mindful,
watchful,
wide-awake,
sharp-eyed,
eagle-eyed,
keen-eyed,
on your toes,
heedful
in the sense of vigilant
Definition
on the watch for trouble or danger
Police warned the public to be vigilant and report anything suspicious.
Synonyms
watchful,
alert,
on the lookout,
careful,
cautious,
attentive,
circumspect,
wide awake,
on the alert,
on your toes,
wakeful,
on your guard,
on the watch,
on the qui vive,
Argus-eyed,
keeping your eyes peeled or skinned (informal)
in the sense of wary
Definition
cautious or on one's guard
Keep a wary eye on children when they are playing near water.
Synonyms
watchful,
careful,
alert,
cautious,
prudent,
attentive,
vigilant,
circumspect,
heedful,
on the lookout,
wide-awake,
on the qui vive
in the sense of wide awake
You need to stay alert and wide awake to avoid accidents as you drive.