Dictionary

watch en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• /ˈwɒt͡ʃ/ (New-Zealand)
• /ˈwɑt͡ʃ/ (cot-caught-merger)
• [ˈwɔ̟t͡ʃ] (New-Zealand)
• /ˈwɒt͡ʃ/ (Canada)
• (UK) audio
• /ˈwɔt͡ʃ/ (Australia, British, Scotland, Southern, Standard)
• /ˈwɔt͡ʃ/ without the cot–caught merger
• (US) audio
• /ˈwɒt͡ʃ/ (Received-Pronunciation)
• /ˈwɑt͡ʃ/ without the cot–caught merger

Etymology

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

Meanings

1. A portable or wearable timepiece.
   • Meronyms: watch face, watch receiver, watchspring, watch battery, watchstrap, watch strap, watchband
   • More people today carry a watch on their wrists than in their pockets; some people today don't use a watch at all, because their smartphone serves the purpose well enough.
   • Sunning himself on the board steps, I saw for the first time Mr. Farquhar Fenelon Cooke.[…]A silver snaffle on a heavy leather watch guard which connected the pockets of his corduroy waistcoat, together with a huge gold stirrup in his Ascot tie, sufficiently proclaimed his tastes. 1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter II, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC:
   • He set the alarm on his watch to 8:00 am.
2. The act of guarding and observing someone or something.
   • All the long night their mournful watch they keep. 1717, Joseph Addison, Metamorphoses:
   • shepherds keeping watch by night 1667, John Milton, “Book XII”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
3. A particular time period when guarding is kept.
   • Might we but hear […] Or whistle from the lodge, or village cock Count the night watches to his feathery dames. 1634 October 9 (first performance; Gregorian calendar), [John Milton], edited by H[enry] Lawes, A Maske Presented at Ludlow Castle, 1634: […] [Comus], London: […] [Augustine Matthews] for Hvmphrey Robinson, […], published 1637, →OCLC; reprinted as Comus: […] (Dodd, Mead & Company’s Facsimile Reprints of Rare Books; Literature Series; no. I), New York, N.Y.: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1903, →OCLC:
   • In the evening a tremendous thunder storm, accompanied by wind and rain. It is my watch and I find it a terrible time to act as sentry. 1861, E. J. Guerin, Mountain Charley, page 30:
   • The second watch of the night began at midnight.
   • I did stand my watch upon the hill. c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene v]:
4. A period of wakefulness between the two sleeps of a biphasic sleep pattern (the dead sleep or first sleep and morning sleep or second sleep): the first waking.
5. A person or group of people who guard.
   • The watch stopped the travelers at the city gates.
   • Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch; go your way, make it as sure as ye can. 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Matthew 27:65:
6. The post or office of a watchman; also, the place where a watchman is posted, or where a guard is kept.
   • He upbraids Iago, that he made him Brave me upon the watch. c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Othello, the Moore of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii]:
7. A group of sailors and officers aboard a ship or shore station with a common period of duty: starboard watch, port watch.
8. A period of time on duty, usually four hours in length; the officers and crew who tend the working of a vessel during the same watch. (FM 55–501).
9. The act of seeing, or viewing, for a period of time.
   • A quick watch of Stanley Kubrick's Clockwork Orange sends this reality home fast. Amoral, vacuous, cold-blooded, unsympathetic, and chillingly evil describe only parts of the story. 2004, Charles P. Nemeth, Criminal law:
   • The first third of the film is laugh after laugh; […] But half an hour in and this movie gets unnervingly dark and is an uncomfortable watch at times. 2016 August 11, Andrew Bullock, “David Brent REVIEW: Life on the Road goes from painfully funny to just plain painful. Ouch”, in Sunday Express:
10. (collective, rare) A group of nightingales.
    • sirens were singing like a watch of nightingales 1921, John Galsworthy, The Works of John Galsworthy, volume 16, Charles Scribner's Sons, page 419:
    • it was as if sunshine and a watch of nightingales had come into a sombre forest 1927, Alfred Tresidder Sheppard, Here Comes an Old Sailor, page 267:

Forms

Coordinates

clock

Deriveds

fob watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · graveyard watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchstrap (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watch-seal (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · dogwatch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchtime (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · stopwatch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchpost (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · first watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · tornado watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · lie like a cheap watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watch and watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · set one's watch by someone (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchfire (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · time you got a watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watch glass (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watch battery (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · middle watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watch of the night (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchstander (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watch bill (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · pocket watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watch pocket (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchwoman (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · fire watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchpoint (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watch charm (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchcat (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watch-jobber (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchbox (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchwork (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · rewatch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · on the watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watch in two (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · smartwatch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchphone (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchword (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchful (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watch timing machine (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchpuppy (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watch paper (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · keep watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watch one's back (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · skeleton watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watch gun (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchstanding (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · Paley's watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchless (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchkeeping (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · scoutwatch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchie (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchmate (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · on one's watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · forewatch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watch cap (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchlike (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchperson (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watch someone's back (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · on watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchhouse (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · finger watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · end of watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · listening watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchlight (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchspring (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watch receiver (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · night watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchlist (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · wristwatch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · quartz watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · analogue watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · duplex watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · keep a close watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watch circle (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchmaking (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · deathwatch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · ring watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · dog watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · hurricane watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watch strap (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchchain (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · stand watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · overwatch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · time-watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · deathwatch beetle (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · suicide watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watch face (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · keep a watch out (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watch tackle (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watch night (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchboat (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchguard (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · mystery watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchmaker (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · set one's watch back (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchclock (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · doomwatch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · digital watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchcase (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watch party (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · my watch has ended (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watch meeting (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · Frankenwatch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchcoat (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchnight (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watch-coat (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · turnip watch (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watchkeeper (Terms derived from the noun “watch”) · watch back (Terms derived from the noun “watch”)

Descendants

Watsch · ウォッチ · wach · ウオッチ · 워치 · wach / ৱাচ · uati

Hypernyms

timepiece · device

Translations (364)

de Wache (group of sailors and officers) · ru ва́хта (period of time on duty) · oc gacha (person or group of people who guard) · sv vaktpass (particular time period) · be ва́рта (the act of guarding) · pt vigia (the act of guarding) · eu erloju (portable or wearable timepiece) · ky саат (portable or wearable timepiece) · da vagt (person or group of people who guard) · fa-ira پاسْبان (person or group of people who guard) · ba сәғәт (portable or wearable timepiece) · az növbətçi (person or group of people who guard) · io horlojeto (portable or wearable timepiece) · sh ду́жно̄ст (particular time period) · bg карау́л (person or group of people who guard) · et kell (portable or wearable timepiece) · nan-hbl 時表 /时表 (portable or wearable timepiece) · sv klocka (portable or wearable timepiece) · lld ëura (portable or wearable timepiece) · ro veghe (particular time period) · cy oriawr (portable or wearable timepiece) · be ва́рта (particular time period) · ur گَھڑی (portable or wearable timepiece) · my လက်ပတ်နာရီ (portable or wearable timepiece) · cy oriadur (portable or wearable timepiece) · te కాపలాదారు (person or group of people who guard) · hy ժամացույց (portable or wearable timepiece) · da vagt (particular time period) · fr garde (person or group of people who guard) · vi đồng hồ (portable or wearable timepiece) · ngh orlosi (portable or wearable timepiece) · nl wacht (particular time period) · is vakt (particular time period) · lo ນາລິກາ (portable or wearable timepiece) · es vigía (the act of guarding) · ky кароол (person or group of people who guard) · nan-hbl 手錶 /手表 (portable or wearable timepiece) · it vigilanza (the act of guarding) · ga uaireadóir (portable or wearable timepiece) · pdt Wacht (the act of guarding) · pt guarda (particular time period) · ckb کات ژمێر (portable or wearable timepiece) · mi tiakanga (period of time on duty) · dng бё (portable or wearable timepiece) · ro străjer (person or group of people who guard) · ro strajă (particular time period) · la horologium armillare (portable or wearable timepiece) · he שָׁעוֹן (portable or wearable timepiece) · nan-hbl 錶仔 /表仔 (portable or wearable timepiece) · ltg stuņdinīks (portable or wearable timepiece) · uk вартува́ння (particular time period) · id jam tangan (portable or wearable timepiece) · it guardia (the act of guarding) · sh dežuranje (person or group of people who guard) · ru ва́хта (group of sailors and officers) · az qarovulçu (person or group of people who guard) · ru нару́чные часы́ (portable or wearable timepiece) · kk қарауыл (person or group of people who guard) · sh dežúrstvo (particular time period) · fa-ira پاییدَن (the act of guarding) · aot khori (portable or wearable timepiece) · sh врије́ме (particular time period) · ary مݣانة (portable or wearable timepiece) · sh ча̏с (particular time period) · lv laikrādis (portable or wearable timepiece) · grc φυλακή (particular time period) · ja 懐中時計 (portable or wearable timepiece) · uk чергува́ння (particular time period) · sh дежу́рство (particular time period) · ast reló (portable or wearable timepiece) · oc gàrdia (person or group of people who guard) · it sorveglianza (the act of guarding) · pt relógio de pulso (portable or wearable timepiece) · cdo 手錶 /手表 (portable or wearable timepiece) · unm wach (portable or wearable timepiece) · la vigilia (the act of guarding) · it personale di turno (group of sailors and officers) · ja 警戒 (particular time period) · sq sahat (portable or wearable timepiece) · ro tură (particular time period) · ta கண்காணித்தல் (the act of guarding) · ca guarda (person or group of people who guard) · lv pulkstenis (portable or wearable timepiece) · kmr demjimêr demjimêr (portable or wearable timepiece) · lad ora (portable or wearable timepiece) · pt relógio de bolso (pocketwatch) (portable or wearable timepiece) · dng шубё (portable or wearable timepiece) · be ва́хта (particular time period) · it orologio da tasca (portable or wearable timepiece) · uk ча́ти (person or group of people who guard) · fa-ira نِگَهْبان (person or group of people who guard) · zza pawıtoğ (person or group of people who guard) · fi kello (portable or wearable timepiece) · ro gardă (particular time period) · la vigilia (particular time period) · kk сағат (portable or wearable timepiece) · chr ᏩᏥ (portable or wearable timepiece) · ru карау́л (the act of guarding) · grc φρουρά (the act of guarding) · tt каравыл (person or group of people who guard) · pl straż (the act of guarding) · mk часовник (portable or wearable timepiece) · es aguaite (the act of guarding) · br eurier (portable or wearable timepiece) · grc νύχευμα (the act of guarding) · grc οὖρος (person or group of people who guard) · sc arrellógiu (portable or wearable timepiece) · tk garawul (person or group of people who guard) · mn цаг (portable or wearable timepiece) · az qarovul (person or group of people who guard) · ru часово́й (person or group of people who guard) · az keşik (person or group of people who guard) · ota نوبت (the act of guarding) · wuu 手錶 /手表 (portable or wearable timepiece) · ja ウオッチ (portable or wearable timepiece) · eu ordulari (portable or wearable timepiece) · az qol saatı (portable or wearable timepiece) · sh dúžnōst (particular time period) · te చేతి గడియారం (portable or wearable timepiece) · yue 手錶 /手表 (portable or wearable timepiece) · it personale di guardia (group of sailors and officers) · hi वॉच (portable or wearable timepiece) · be караву́л (person or group of people who guard) · tg соат (portable or wearable timepiece) · nl horloge (portable or wearable timepiece) · grc φυλακή (the act of guarding) · fi vahtiminen (the act of guarding) · tl orasan (portable or wearable timepiece) · ru ва́хта (particular time period) · it orologio (portable or wearable timepiece) · fur orloi (portable or wearable timepiece) · de Armbanduhr (portable or wearable timepiece) · ru карау́льный (person or group of people who guard) · bg часови́ (person or group of people who guard) · oc garda (person or group of people who guard) · it guardia (period of time on duty) · grc σκοπός (person or group of people who guard) · el ρολόι (portable or wearable timepiece) · pl wachta (period of time on duty) · apc ساعة (portable or wearable timepiece) · zza sehat (portable or wearable timepiece) · zza nomet (particular time period) · ar سَاعَة (portable or wearable timepiece) · pl zegarek (portable or wearable timepiece) · grc φυλακή (person or group of people who guard) · el σκοπός (person or group of people who guard) · az saat (portable or wearable timepiece) · nl wacht (person or group of people who guard) · fa-ira پَهْر (particular time period) · rup strajã (particular time period) · fi vartio (person or group of people who guard) · ba ҡарауыл (the act of guarding) · sh čàsōvnīk (portable or wearable timepiece) · nb vakt (period of time on duty) · km នាឡិកា (portable or wearable timepiece) · oc gaita (person or group of people who guard) · fr poste (place where a watchman is posted) · af wag (person or group of people who guard) · lo ໂມງ (portable or wearable timepiece) · grc φρουρητήρ (person or group of people who guard) · sh strȃža (person or group of people who guard) · es washo (portable or wearable timepiece) · sv vakt (particular time period) · cs hlídka (person or group of people who guard) · bn হাতঘড়ি (portable or wearable timepiece) · lt laikrodis (portable or wearable timepiece) · pl wachta (group of sailors and officers) · nan-hbl 時錶 /时表 (portable or wearable timepiece) · sv vakt (person or group of people who guard) · pap oloshi (portable or wearable timepiece) · fa-ira ساعَت (portable or wearable timepiece) · yue 錶 /表 (portable or wearable timepiece) · uk ва́рта (person or group of people who guard) · be нару́чны гадзі́ннік (portable or wearable timepiece) · bg дежу́рство (particular time period) · nb armbåndsur (portable or wearable timepiece) · alt каруул (person or group of people who guard) · lb Auer (portable or wearable timepiece) · ro gardă (person or group of people who guard) · ga faire (the act of guarding) · el φρουρός (person or group of people who guard) · cmn 值班 (particular time period) · sv vakt (group of sailors and officers) · fo ur (portable or wearable timepiece) · yi זייגערל (portable or wearable timepiece) · sv bevakning (the act of guarding) · eo horloĝeto (portable or wearable timepiece) · ca guardià (person or group of people who guard) · sm uati (portable or wearable timepiece) · ta கைக்கடிகாரம் (portable or wearable timepiece) · be гадзі́ннік (portable or wearable timepiece) · ru стра́жа (person or group of people who guard) · eo brakhorloĝo (portable or wearable timepiece) · es guasho (portable or wearable timepiece) · prs سَاعَت (portable or wearable timepiece) · gd freiceadan (person or group of people who guard) · kmr saet (portable or wearable timepiece) · ja 時計 (portable or wearable timepiece) · nan-hbl 手錶仔 /手表仔 (portable or wearable timepiece) · et käekell (portable or wearable timepiece) · cmn 值日 (particular time period) · it guardia (person or group of people who guard) · sh вре́ме (particular time period) · tr nöbet (particular time period) · grc φρουρός (person or group of people who guard) · ja 腕時計 (portable or wearable timepiece) · it personale di sorveglianza (group of sailors and officers) · hu óra (portable or wearable timepiece) · bg часо́вник (portable or wearable timepiece) · esu cass'aq (portable or wearable timepiece) · tr kol saatı (portable or wearable timepiece) · th นาฬิกาพก (portable or wearable timepiece) · lb Wuecht (particular time period) · uk карау́л (person or group of people who guard) · mi tiakanga (particular time period) · sh sȃt (portable or wearable timepiece) · ro ceas (portable or wearable timepiece) · gl reloxo (portable or wearable timepiece) · tr bekçi (person or group of people who guard) · ms jam tangan (portable or wearable timepiece) · mh awa (portable or wearable timepiece) · ko 워치 (portable or wearable timepiece) · be ва́рта (person or group of people who guard) · an reloch (portable or wearable timepiece) · es peluco (portable or wearable timepiece) · be старо́жа (person or group of people who guard) · fi vahti (group of sailors and officers) · fa-ira پاس (particular time period) · rsk годзинка (portable or wearable timepiece) · aeb منڨالة (portable or wearable timepiece) · gd faire (particular time period) · mn бугүйн цаг (portable or wearable timepiece) · sl zapestna ura (portable or wearable timepiece) · ta காவலாளி (person or group of people who guard) · uz qoʻl soat (portable or wearable timepiece) · ka მაჯის საათი (portable or wearable timepiece) · pl wachta (particular time period) · ru карау́л (person or group of people who guard) · uz soat (portable or wearable timepiece) · de Wache (particular time period) · pl straż (person or group of people who guard) · cmn 手錶 /手表 (portable or wearable timepiece) · de Uhr (portable or wearable timepiece) · ro gardă (person or group of people who guard) · vec rełogio (portable or wearable timepiece) · rup sãhate (portable or wearable timepiece) · kn ಗಡಿಯಾರ (portable or wearable timepiece) · oc mòstra (portable or wearable timepiece) · it turno di guardia (particular time period) · grc σκοπιά (the act of guarding) · nb vakt (person or group of people who guard) · pt guarda (person or group of people who guard) · sh čȁs (particular time period) · bg ва́хта (period of time on duty) · zdj saya (portable or wearable timepiece) · ru охра́на (person or group of people who guard) · rup viglã (particular time period) · fr montre (portable or wearable timepiece) · fi rannekello (portable or wearable timepiece) · es reloj (portable or wearable timepiece) · it cipolla (portable or wearable timepiece) · kw euryor (portable or wearable timepiece) · fi vahti (person or group of people who guard) · tl relos (portable or wearable timepiece) · bg ва́хта (particular time period) · nrf mouontre (portable or wearable timepiece) · uk ва́хта (particular time period) · ru часы́ (particular time period) · de Wache (person or group of people who guard) · ca rellotge (portable or wearable timepiece) · uk сторо́жа (person or group of people who guard) · ru дежу́рство (particular time period) · ru часы́ (portable or wearable timepiece) · ba ҡул сәғәте (portable or wearable timepiece) · war relo (portable or wearable timepiece) · ca guàrdia (period of time on duty) · pt relógio (portable or wearable timepiece) · fi taskukello (portable or wearable timepiece) · fi vahti (period of time on duty) · tr nöbetçi (person or group of people who guard) · eo poŝhorloĝo (portable or wearable timepiece) · sv vakt (period of time on duty) · lad saat (portable or wearable timepiece) · uk годи́нник (portable or wearable timepiece) · sv ur (portable or wearable timepiece) · bg ва́хта (group of sailors and officers) · ru дозо́р (person or group of people who guard) · sq orë dore (portable or wearable timepiece) · nb ur (portable or wearable timepiece) · az keşik (the act of guarding) · sk hodinky (portable or wearable timepiece) · el βάρδια (period of time on duty) · pt quarto de serviço (group of sailors and officers) · it posto di guardia (place where a watchman is posted) · mr घड्याळ (portable or wearable timepiece) · sh са̑т (portable or wearable timepiece) · grc τήρησις (the act of guarding) · my နာရီ (portable or wearable timepiece) · pt turno (period of time on duty) · ba ҡарауыл (person or group of people who guard) · ist rilojo (portable or wearable timepiece) · af horlosie (portable or wearable timepiece) · cs hlídka (particular time period) · sk hliadka (particular time period) · es extensible (portable or wearable timepiece) · hak 時錶仔 /时表仔 (portable or wearable timepiece) · uz qorovul (person or group of people who guard) · tk sagat (portable or wearable timepiece) · sh vrijéme (particular time period) · da armbåndsur (portable or wearable timepiece) · fa-ira دیدِهبان (person or group of people who guard) · nb vakt (particular time period) · cs hodinky (portable or wearable timepiece) · ru охра́на (the act of guarding) · ar حَارِس (person or group of people who guard) · el βάρδια (group of sailors and officers) · grc σκοπιωρός (person or group of people who guard) · th นาฬิกาข้อมือ (portable or wearable timepiece) · grc φύλαξ (person or group of people who guard) · ota نوبت (person or group of people who guard) · fi vahti (particular time period) · uk нару́чний годи́нник (portable or wearable timepiece) · sl ura (portable or wearable timepiece) · sh vréme (particular time period) · is úr (portable or wearable timepiece) · hi घड़ी (portable or wearable timepiece) · grc φρούρημα (the act of guarding) · bg паза́ч (person or group of people who guard) · he אשמורת \ אַשְׁמֹרֶת (particular time period) · bn ঘড়ি (portable or wearable timepiece) · be дзяжу́рства (particular time period) · ru сто́рож (person or group of people who guard) · pt quarto (group of sailors and officers) · hy ժամ (portable or wearable timepiece) · fr veille (particular time period) · sq orë (portable or wearable timepiece) · ru карау́л (particular time period) · ur واچ (portable or wearable timepiece) · es muñequera (portable or wearable timepiece) · lb Posten (place where a watchman is posted) · mi wati (portable or wearable timepiece) · bg охра́на (the act of guarding) · tr saat (portable or wearable timepiece) · ltg stuņdiņs (portable or wearable timepiece) · uk ва́хта (group of sailors and officers) · pt posto (place where a watchman is posted) · mk дежурство (particular time period) · ko 시계 (portable or wearable timepiece) · it sorveglianza (person or group of people who guard) · za biuj (portable or wearable timepiece) · be страж (person or group of people who guard) · sh ча̀со̄внӣк (portable or wearable timepiece) · grc τηρητής (person or group of people who guard) · nb klokke (portable or wearable timepiece) · bg страж (person or group of people who guard) · pt vigia (particular time period) · af wag (particular time period) · ka საათი (portable or wearable timepiece) · eo vaĉo (the act of guarding) · cs hlídka (group of sailors and officers) · gd uaireadair (portable or wearable timepiece) · ckb سەعات (portable or wearable timepiece) · az keşikçi (person or group of people who guard) · sv vaktpatrull (person or group of people who guard)

wikidata: Q178794

watch en · VERB · etymology 2

Pronunciation

• /ˈwɒt͡ʃ/ (New-Zealand)
• /ˈwɑt͡ʃ/ (cot-caught-merger)
• [ˈwɔ̟t͡ʃ] (New-Zealand)
• /ˈwɒt͡ʃ/ (Canada)
• (UK) audio
• /ˈwɔt͡ʃ/ (Australia, British, Scotland, Southern, Standard)
• /ˈwɔt͡ʃ/ without the cot–caught merger
• (US) audio
• /ˈwɒt͡ʃ/ (Received-Pronunciation)
• /ˈwɑt͡ʃ/ without the cot–caught merger

Etymology

From Middle English wacchen, from Old English wæċċan, from Proto-West Germanic *wakkjan, from Proto-Germanic *wakjaną. Cognate with Dutch wekken, German wecken, Danish vække, Norwegian Bokmål vekke, Norwegian Nynorsk vekkja, Swedish väcka, Faroese and Icelandic vekja.

Meanings

1. (ambitransitive) To look at, see, or view for a period of time.
   • I'm tired of watching TV.
   • It was a joy to snatch some brief respite, and find himself in the rectory drawing–room. Listening here was as pleasant as talking; just to watch was pleasant. The young priests who lived here wore cassocks and birettas; their faces were fine and mild, yet really strong, like the rector's face; and in their intercourse with him and his wife they seemed to be brothers. 1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter X, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:
   • Watching the clock will not make time go faster.
2. (transitive) To observe over a period of time; to notice or pay attention.
   • Put a little baking soda in some vinegar and watch what happens.
   • Watch this!
3. (transitive) To mind, attend, or guard.
   • He has to watch the kids that afternoon.
   • Please watch my suitcase for a minute.
   • […] (it was the town's humour to be always gassing of phantom investors who were likely to come any moment and pay a thousand prices for everything) — “[…] Them rich fellers, they don't make no bad breaks with their money. They watch it all th' time b'cause they know blame well there ain't hardly room fer their feet fer th' pikers an' tin-horns an' thimble-riggers what are layin' fer 'em. […]” 1899, Stephen Crane, chapter 1, in Twelve O'Clock:
4. (transitive) To be wary or cautious of.
   • You should watch that guy. He has a reputation for lying.
5. (transitive) To attend to dangers to or regarding.
   • Watch what you say.
   • watch your head; watch your step
   • Watch yourself when you talk to him.
6. (intransitive) To remain awake with a sick or dying person; to maintain a vigil.
   • At the funeralls in Yorkeshire, to this day, they continue the custome of watching & sitting-up all night till the body is interred. 1687, John Aubrey, Remaines of Gentilisme and Judaisme, page 30:
7. (intransitive) To be vigilant or on one's guard.
   • For some must watch, while some must sleep: So runs the world away.
8. (intransitive) To act as a lookout.
   • "[…] Scarcely a night passes without the light showing, and there's no doubt that the water runs. We've put copying ink on the door handles and the taps and got into it ourselves until there isn't a man about the place that you couldn't implicate." "Has anyone watched up there?" 1923, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], “(please specify the page)”, in The Eyes of Max Carrados, London: Grant Richards, →OCLC:
9. (of a buoy) To serve the purpose of a watchman by floating properly in its place.
10. (intransitive, obsolete) To be awake.
    • So on the morne Sir Trystram, Sir Gareth and Sir Dynadan arose early and went unto Sir Palomydes chambir, and there they founde hym faste aslepe, for he had all nyght wacched […] 1485, Thomas Malory, Le Morte d'Arthur, Book X:
11. (obsolete, transitive) To be on the lookout for; to wait for expectantly.
    • [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, Zeluco, Valancourt, published 2008, page 80:

Forms

Antonyms

ignore

Deriveds

watchable (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · must watch (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · watch one's mouth (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · awatch (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · watcher (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · outwatch (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · binge-watch (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · watch-birth (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · watch one's step (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · hate-watch (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · forewatch (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · time watch (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · overwatch (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · watch the world burn (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · watch grass grow (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · watch the fur fly (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · watchability (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · watch and ward (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · watch one's back (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · watch the pennies (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · watchman (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · skywatch (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · watch it (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · who watches the watchers (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · watch the birdie (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · cock watch (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · people-watch (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · watch back (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · bewatch (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · watch and act (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · like nobody's watching (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · unwatch (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · watch paint dry (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · watch the feathers fly (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · watched toast never burns (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · watch like a hawk (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · watch and wait (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · watch out (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · watch one's tongue (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · clock-watch (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · watch this space (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · watch one's language (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · watch over (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · whale watch (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · watch one's ass (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · clock-watcher (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · rewatch (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · watchtower (Terms derived from the verb "watch") · watch the world go by (Terms derived from the verb "watch")

Descendants

ウォッチ · ウオッチ · ヲチ · guachar

Relateds

wait · wake

Translations (387)

om eeguu (to look at for a period of time) · de aufpassen (to be wary) · it guardare (to observe) · grc ἐφοράω (to attend or guard) · fr surveiller (to attend or guard) · ro fi vigilent (to be wary) · kea biziá (to look at for a period of time) · la aspecto (to observe) · grc θεωρέω (to observe) · acw اتفرج (to look at for a period of time) · ar حَذِرَ (to be wary) · de beobachten (to observe) · da holde øje med (to look at for a period of time) · acw راقب (to look at for a period of time) · uk охороня́ти (to attend or guard) · es celar (to attend or guard) · nl kijken (to look at for a period of time) · he הִסְתַּכֵּל (to look at for a period of time) · grc σκοπέω (to look at for a period of time) · id menonton (to look at for a period of time) · th ชม (to look at for a period of time) · fr regarder (to look at for a period of time) · tr bakmak (to attend or guard) · la custodio (to attend or guard) · kea oiá (to observe) · ka მეთვალყურეობა (to attend or guard) · pl pilnować (to attend or guard) · ru смотре́ть (to look at for a period of time) · la specio (to observe) · nb se på (to look at for a period of time) · uk диви́тися (to look at for a period of time) · ru следи́ть (to observe) · grc βλέπω (to look at for a period of time) · fa تَماشا کَردَن (to observe) · hy դիտել (to observe) · fa نظاره کردن (to look at for a period of time) · fi olla varuillaan (to be wary) · la aspicio (to observe) · ja 見る (to look at for a period of time) · tr seyretmek (to look at for a period of time) · ja 見張る (to be wary) · la cōnspiciō (to look at for a period of time) · bg внима́вам (to be wary) · es aguaitar (to attend or guard) · sh glȅdati (to look at for a period of time) · pt assistir (to look at for a period of time) · fr faire gaffe (to be wary) · nb passe på (to attend or guard) · ru смотре́ть (to observe) · th มอง (to look at for a period of time) · bg наблюда́вам (to observe) · bg бо́дърствам (to be vigilant) · be ахо́ўваць (to attend or guard) · ru гляде́ть (to look at for a period of time) · gl vixiar (to attend or guard) · es mirar (to look at for a period of time) · alt караар (to look at for a period of time) · sk sledovať (to observe) · tr gözlemlemek (to observe) · tr göz kulak olmak (to attend or guard) · sv vara försiktig (to be wary) · ru наблюда́ть (to observe) · ajp حضر (to look at for a period of time) · ru наблюда́ть (to look at for a period of time) · nan-hbl 看 (to look at for a period of time) · pl oglądać (to observe) · ar حَرَسَ (to attend or guard) · yue 睇 (to attend or guard) · ga fair (to observe) · zza seyr kerden (to look at for a period of time) · zlw-ocs zřieti (to look at for a period of time) · be вартава́ць (to attend or guard) · de sehen (to look at for a period of time) · mi titiro (to observe) · ca vetllar (to be vigilant) · ka გუშაგობა (to attend or guard) · fro espier (to look at for a period of time) · ar نَظَرَ (to look at for a period of time) · it fare attenzione (to attend or guard) · uk слідкува́ти (to be wary) · ro privi (to observe) · ro veghea (to attend or guard) · grc ὁράω (to look at for a period of time) · grc θεάομαι (to look at for a period of time) · qu qhaway (to look at for a period of time) · zza haydar biyen (to attend or guard) · la specto (to observe) · sv ta sig i akt (to be wary) · war tan-au (to look at for a period of time) · it sorvegliare (to attend or guard) · la aspicio (to look at for a period of time) · da se på (to look at for a period of time) · nl opletten (to be wary) · cs zhlédnout (to look at for a period of time) · he הִבִּיט (to look at for a period of time) · pdt woaken (to be vigilant) · cy edrych (ar) (to look at for a period of time) · de zusehen (to look at for a period of time) · war ki-ta (to look at for a period of time) · grc φρουρέω (to attend or guard) · ru бдеть (to be vigilant) · ur دیکْھنا (to look at for a period of time) · cmn 看 (to look at for a period of time) · pl patrzeć (to look at for a period of time) · fa نِگاه کَرْدَن (to observe) · chr ᎤᎦᏎᏍᏛᎢ (to observe) · ta கண்காணித்தல் (to observe) · es velar (to observe) · lt žiūrėti (to look at for a period of time) · hu figyel (to observe) · ro urmări (to observe) · sq shikoj (to look at for a period of time) · ka ყურება (to look at for a period of time) · txb yärp- (to observe) · da holde øje med (to attend or guard) · ga fair (to attend or guard) · ko 관찰하다 (to look at for a period of time) · ro veghea (to be vigilant) · ms layan (to look at for a period of time) · kix tìe (to look at for a period of time) · lv skatīties (to look at for a period of time) · sh гле̏дати (to look at for a period of time) · lo ເບິ່ງ (to look at for a period of time) · scn taliari (to observe) · pl zaobserwować (to observe) · ar تَفَرَّجَ (to look at for a period of time) · kea biziá (to observe) · hu figyel (to attend or guard) · sv observera (to observe) · it guardare (to look at for a period of time) · nb passe på (to observe) · ar شَاهَدَ (to look at for a period of time) · be назіра́ць (to observe) · sq shoh (to look at for a period of time) · mk внимава (to be wary) · nb observere (to look at for a period of time) · gl observar (to observe) · tl manood (to look at for a period of time) · ru сторожи́ть (to attend or guard) · lb iwwerwaachen (to attend or guard) · hi अवलोकन (to observe) · grc εὐλαβέομαι (to be wary) · fr veiller (to be vigilant) · es lentear (to look at for a period of time) · tr izlemek (to observe) · hu néz (to look at for a period of time) · mi mātakitaki (to observe) · ro avea grijă (to be wary) · ajp اِتْفرّج (to look at for a period of time) · fi katsoa (to look at for a period of time) · pt tomar cuidado (to be wary) · ru бо́дрствовать (to be vigilant) · ro păzi (to attend or guard) · nrf r'garder (to observe) · sv vakta (to attend or guard) · la spectō (to look at for a period of time) · mi matapopore (to attend or guard) · sl gledati (to look at for a period of time) · sc abbadiare (to look at for a period of time) · sv passa (to attend or guard) · nl uitkijken (to be wary) · cs zhlížet (to look at for a period of time) · mn үзэх (to look at for a period of time) · mi mātai (to observe) · zza çım eşten (to observe) · mww saib (to observe) · pl obserwować (to look at for a period of time) · ro observa (to observe) · sa पाति (to attend or guard) · ca mirar (to look at for a period of time) · de wachen (to be vigilant) · pt ver (to look at for a period of time) · xbr tàru (to look at for a period of time) · lb oppassen (to attend or guard) · cmn 看守 (to attend or guard) · es tener cuidado (to be wary) · es güeitear (to observe) · da se efter (to attend or guard) · tr gözetmek (to attend or guard) · uk спостеріга́ти (to observe) · yue 觀察 /观察 (to observe) · fi katsella (to look at for a period of time) · ms menyaksikan (to look at for a period of time) · ca vigilar (to be wary) · pl obserwować (to observe) · ro observa (to look at for a period of time) · ml കാവൽ നിൽക്കുക (to attend or guard) · tr izlemek (to look at for a period of time) · fa تماشا کردن (to look at for a period of time) · vi xem (to look at for a period of time) · ja 見守る (to attend or guard) · ms melihat (to look at for a period of time) · grc φράζω (to be wary) · cy gwylio (to observe) · az izləmək (to observe) · mi mātai (to look at for a period of time) · yue 睇 (to observe) · az baxmaq (to look at for a period of time) · he צָפָה (to look at for a period of time) · cs sledovat (to look at for a period of time) · ka თვალყურის დევნება (to attend or guard) · pl oglądać (to look at for a period of time) · es amparar (to attend or guard) · mzn هارشین (to look at for a period of time) · ms tengok (to look at for a period of time) · sk dívať sa (to look at for a period of time) · ko 보다 (to look at for a period of time) · mi mātaki (to observe) · es aguaitar (to look at for a period of time) · lb kucken (to look at for a period of time) · ka თვალის დევნება (to attend or guard) · hy նայել (to look at for a period of time) · th ดู (to look at for a period of time) · cmn 觀察 /观察 (to observe) · grc τηρέω (to attend or guard) · bg бдя (to be vigilant) · fa نگریستن (to look at for a period of time) · fi tarkkailla (to be wary) · ro monitoriza (to look at for a period of time) · mww saib (to look at for a period of time) · nb passe på (to be wary) · tg нигоҳ кардан (to look at for a period of time) · sv betrakta (to observe) · da holde øje med (to be wary) · it osservare (to observe) · it tenere d'occhio (to attend or guard) · ja 観察する (to observe) · et vaatama (to look at for a period of time) · eo gvati (to attend or guard) · hu vigyáz (to attend or guard) · cy gwylio (to look at for a period of time) · cs hlídat (to look at for a period of time) · uk вартува́ти (to attend or guard) · tr dikkat etmek (to be wary) · fro guarder (to attend or guard) · bg гле́дам (to look at for a period of time) · my ကြည့် (to look at for a period of time) · ckb چاو کردن (to look at for a period of time) · es güeitear (to attend or guard) · gl mirar (to look at for a period of time) · pt assistir (to observe) · mi mātaki (to look at for a period of time) · es aguaitar (to observe) · bg па́зя (to attend or guard) · ro fi vigilent (to be vigilant) · ln kengela (to attend or guard) · da vogte på (to be wary) · sl opazovati (to observe) · fr être vigilant (to be vigilant) · ro privi (to look at for a period of time) · ml കാണുക (to observe) · fr regarder (to observe) · is horfa á (to observe) · ar رَصَدَ (to observe) · es velar por (to attend or guard) · mk набљудува (to observe) · fro espier (to observe) · cs hlídat (to attend or guard) · hi पहरा (to attend or guard) · hi देखना (to look at for a period of time) · km មើល (to look at for a period of time) · grc γρηγορέω (to observe) · fi tarkkailla (to observe) · ast mirar (to look at for a period of time) · ca vigilar (to attend or guard) · sl gledati (to observe) · sk pozerať (to look at for a period of time) · de aufpassen (to attend or guard) · ro urmări (to look at for a period of time) · cs sledovat (to observe) · cs dívat se (to look at for a period of time) · kea bízia (to observe) · zza weynen (to look at for a period of time) · fro gaiter (to attend or guard) · es lentear (to observe) · ca anar amb compte (to be wary) · cs dávat pozor (to be wary) · it vigilare (to attend or guard) · de ansehen (to look at for a period of time) · fa پاییدَن (to observe) · bg охраня́вам (to attend or guard) · el προσέχω (to observe) · el παρακολουθώ (to look at for a period of time) · ka დარაჯობა (to attend or guard) · lb nokucken (to look at for a period of time) · el προσέχω (to attend or guard) · fi katsoa (to observe) · chr ᎤᎦᏎᏍᏛᎢ (to attend or guard) · gd coimhead (to observe) · nb passe på (to look at for a period of time) · to fakasio (to look at for a period of time) · az izləmək (to look at for a period of time) · sk hľadať (to look at for a period of time) · hak 看 (to look at for a period of time) · kea odja (to observe) · fi olla valpas (to be vigilant) · lb surveilléieren (to attend or guard) · fro reguarder (to look at for a period of time) · ajp شاف (to look at for a period of time) · ka დაცვა (to attend or guard) · la vigilō (to be vigilant) · fa نِگاه کَرْدَن (to look at for a period of time) · es tlachar (to observe) · fi vahtia (to attend or guard) · acw شاف (to look at for a period of time) · ru следи́ть (to be wary) · be назіра́ць (to be wary) · bg следя́ (to be wary) · tl magmasid (to look at for a period of time) · sk hľadať (to attend or guard) · cy edrych (ar) (to observe) · fr faire attention (to be wary) · la specio (to look at for a period of time) · pam albe (to look at for a period of time) · el προσέχω (to be wary) · fr prendre garde (to be wary) · ar رَاقَبَ (to look at for a period of time) · vi nhìn (to observe) · yi וואַטשן (to look at for a period of time) · hu vigyáz (to be wary) · tr bakmak (to observe) · da holde øje med (to observe) · es catar (to look at for a period of time) · ro veghea (to be wary) · nrf r'garder (to look at for a period of time) · ro supraveghea (to attend or guard) · fa پاییدن (to look at for a period of time) · es wachear (to look at for a period of time) · ajp تفرّج (to look at for a period of time) · ka ზედამხედველობა (to attend or guard) · es wachear (to attend or guard) · acw تابع (to look at for a period of time) · gl mirar (to observe) · mk гледа (to look at for a period of time) · nrf dgetter (to attend or guard) · kmr çehv kirin (to look at for a period of time) · uk спостеріга́ти (to look at for a period of time) · yue 看 (to attend or guard) · io regardar (to look at for a period of time) · grc φυλάσσω (to attend or guard) · war i-mod (to look at for a period of time) · ba ҡарау (to look at for a period of time) · ja 見張る (to attend or guard) · cmn 觀 /观 (to look at for a period of time) · eo spekti (to look at for a period of time) · pt ter cuidado (to be wary) · yue 睇 (to look at for a period of time) · fr observer (to observe) · pt vigiar (to attend or guard) · sw kukesha (to be vigilant) · mi titiro (to look at for a period of time) · zza temaşe kerden (to look at for a period of time) · be паглядзе́ць (to look at for a period of time) · la aspecto (to look at for a period of time) · kea bízia (to look at for a period of time) · es vigilar (to attend or guard) · it montare la guardia (to be vigilant) · fi katsoa (to attend or guard) · ca observar (to observe) · nb observere (to observe) · de überwachen (to attend or guard) · fro reguarder (to observe) · ko 관찰하다 (to observe) · sv se på (to look at for a period of time) · be сачы́ць (to be wary) · gd coimhead (to look at for a period of time) · te కాపు ఉండు (to observe) · ru охраня́ть (to attend or guard) · vi coi (to look at for a period of time) · be глядзе́ць (to look at for a period of time) · da iagttage (to observe) · cs dívat se (to observe) · gl vixiar (to be vigilant) · ro urmări (to attend or guard) · la teneo (to attend or guard) · ckb تەماشاکردن (to observe) · grc φυλάσσω (to be wary) · lb nokucken (to observe) · grc θεωρέω (to look at for a period of time) · sw kutazama (to observe) · cmn 觀看 /观看 (to look at for a period of time) · pt observar (to observe) · la speculor (to observe) · mi mātakitaki (to look at for a period of time) · ga fair (to look at for a period of time) · sv iaktta (to observe) · es wachear (to observe)