watchverb
uk/wɒtʃ/us/wɑːtʃ/watch verb (LOOK AT)
A1 [ I or T ] to look at something for a period of time, especially something that is changing or moving:
[ T ] to stay with someone or something, such as a child, for a short time to make certain that he, she, or it is safe:
More examples
- You can watch the trains going by from this window.
- Practically the whole nation watched the ceremony on television.
- He watches a lot of TV.
- We sat on the beach watching a spectacular sunset.
- Thousands of fans packed into the stadium to watch the match.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Using the eyes
- before your very eyes idiom
- beheld
- bore
- breathe
- come to sb's attention/notice idiom
- dart
- eye
- feast
- gawk
- get a load of that! idiom
- get him, her, you, etc.! idiom
- keep tabs on sth/sb idiom
- look-see
- observational
- out of/from the corner of your eye idiom
- passer-by
- saw
- sneak
- squint
- visual
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watch verb (BE CAREFUL)
B2 [ T ] to be careful of something:
More examples
- You need to watch those car dealers.
- Watch the mosquitos - they can give you a nasty bite.
- Watch what you're doing with that stick!.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Paying attention and being careful
- attention
- attention span
- be good, and if you can't be good, be careful idiom
- be on (your) guard idiom
- cautious
- centre
- eye
- focus
- handle/treat sb with kid gloves idiom
- hang
- hang on/upon sth
- have a care idiom
- have/keep your ear to the ground idiom
- middle
- take note of sth idiom
- the/a glare of sth idiom
- tread carefully/gently/lightly idiom
- walk
- walk on eggs/eggshells idiom
- zoom
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Idiom(s)
Phrasal verb(s)
watchnoun
uk/wɒtʃ/us/wɑːtʃ/watch noun (SMALL CLOCK)
A1 [ C ] a small clock that is worn on a strap around the wrist or, sometimes, connected to a piece of clothing by a chain:
More examples
- Repairing a watch is a very fiddly job.
- She took/cast a glance at her watch.
- The watch mechanism is extremely intricate and very difficult to repair.
- Does your watch keep good time?
- On the bottom of the watch it said 'Swiss-made'.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Watches & clocks
- 24-hour clock
- against the clock idiom
- alarm
- alarm clock
- at/on the stroke of sth idiom
- bezel
- clock
- crystal
- hour hand
- hourglass
- lose
- minute hand
- movement
- pendulum
- radio alarm clock
- twenty-four-hour clock
- watchband
- watchstrap
- winder
- wristwatch
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watch noun (LOOKING)
[ S or U ] the activity of watching or giving attention to something or someone, especially to make certain nothing bad happens:
[ S ] a person or group of soldiers or guards whose duty is to protect a person, place, or thing from danger or attack
[ C ] a particular period of time during which a person or a group of soldiers or guards has the duty of protecting and warning of danger:
More examples
- I sometimes just look out the window and keep a watch on the comings and goings of everyone in the street.
- Her parents used to keep a jealous watch over her when she was young.
- Management keep a close watch on bullying in the workplace.
- She keeps a close watch on her husband to see that he behaves himself.
- You need to keep a close watch on him. He's a real troublemaker.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Using the eyes
- before your very eyes idiom
- beheld
- bore
- breathe
- come to sb's attention/notice idiom
- dart
- eye
- feast
- gawk
- get a load of that! idiom
- get him, her, you, etc.! idiom
- keep tabs on sth/sb idiom
- look-see
- observational
- out of/from the corner of your eye idiom
- passer-by
- saw
- sneak
- squint
- visual
See more results »
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics: