watch

/wɔtʃ/
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Thân thiện
watch

A child watches a colorful bird through a pair of binoculars.

Definition

  1. Noun:

    • A small timepiece worn on the wrist or carried: A portable device that shows the time.
    • The act of observing attentively: A purposeful act of looking at something carefully or for a period of time.
    • A period of duty for a guard or sentinel: A specific shift during which someone is responsible for guarding or observing.
    • A person or group assigned to guard duty: Someone employed to keep a lookout.
    • A historical or religious period of staying awake: The rite of remaining awake, especially for devotional purposes.

  2. Verb:

    • To look at attentively; observe: To direct one's gaze at something, often for a period of time.
    • To keep under careful or protective observation: To guard, tend, or look after someone or something.
    • To be alertly on the lookout; be vigilant: To pay careful attention in order to see, notice, or anticipate something.
    • To follow closely with the eyes or mind: To observe the course or development of events or a situation.
Usage and Examples

  • Noun:

    • He glanced at his watch to check the time.
    • The security watch reported nothing unusual during the night.
    • The sailor stood his watch from midnight until 4 a.m.

  • Verb:

    • Please watch the children while I'm gone.
    • We sat and watched the sunset.
    • The detective watched the suspect's house for days.
Advanced Usage

  • "To keep a watch on/over": To observe or guard something carefully.

    • The nurse kept a close watch on the patient's vital signs.

  • "To be on the watch (for)": To be alert and looking for something expected or feared.

    • Investors are on the watch for signs of inflation.

  • "Watch and wait": A strategy of careful observation before taking action.

    • For this medical condition, the doctor recommended a watch-and-wait approach.
Variants and Related Words

  • Watchful (adj): Being observant and alert.

    • The guard remained watchful throughout the night.

  • Watchman (n): A person employed to look after an empty building or area at night.

  • Stopwatch (n): A special watch used for timing events precisely.
Synonyms
  • Observe (v): To watch carefully, especially to learn something.
  • Guard (v): To keep safe from harm or danger.
  • Timepiece (n): A device for measuring time (a more formal term for a clock or watch).
Related Phrasal Verbs

  • Watch out: To be careful or vigilant about a potential danger.

    • Watch out! There's a car coming!

  • Watch over: To protect, guard, or take care of someone or something.

    • She felt her grandmother was watching over her.

  • Watch for: To look attentively or wait expectantly for something to appear or happen.

    • We need to watch for any changes in the weather.
Related Idioms
  • A watched pot never boils: Time seems to pass very slowly when you are waiting anxiously for something to happen.
  • Watch your step: Be careful about what you do or say, especially to avoid trouble or danger.
    • You'd better watch your step when talking to the boss today.
  • Watch the clock: To keep looking at the time, often because you are bored or eager to finish.
    • He spent the afternoon watching the clock, waiting for the workday to end.
watch

A child watches a colorful bird through a pair of binoculars.

Noun
  1. the rite of staying awake for devotional purposes (especially on the eve of a religious festival)
  2. a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
  3. the period during which someone (especially a guard) is on duty
  4. a purposeful surveillance to guard or observe
  5. a period of time (4 or 2 hours) during which some of a ship's crew are on duty
  6. a small portable timepiece
Verb
  1. find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort
    • I want to see whether she speaks French
    • See whether it works
    • find out if he speaks Russian
    • Check whether the train leaves on time
  2. observe or determine by looking
    • Watch how the dog chases the cats away
  3. be vigilant, be on the lookout or be careful
    • Watch out for pickpockets!
  4. observe with attention
    • They watched as the murderer was executed
  5. see or watch
    • view a show on television
    • This program will be seen all over the world
    • view an exhibition
    • Catch a show on Broadway
    • see a movie
  6. follow with the eyes or the mind
    • Keep an eye on the baby, please!
    • The world is watching Sarajevo
    • She followed the men with the binoculars
  7. look attentively
    • watch a basketball game

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