watch
/wɒtʃ/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To look at someone or something carefully for a period of time. It can also mean to follow a show, game, or event by looking at it.
- Watch the road carefully.
- We watched the movie last night.
- She watched him leave the room.
noun
A small clock you wear on your wrist or carry with you. It tells time.
- My watch is stopped.
- He bought a new watch.
- I checked the time on my watch.
Adinary Nuance
Watch means to look at something for a while or with care. It is less strong than observe, which sounds more formal and careful. It is also different from see, which can happen without effort, and look, which often means directing your eyes.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- xem
- Spanish
- mirar
- Chinese
- 看
- Japanese
- 見る
- Korean
- 보다
Etymology
Old English watchian meant “to stay awake” or “keep guard.” The noun for a timepiece became common later, in the 1600s.
Common phrases
watch TVwatch a moviewatch closelywatch out
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between watch and see?
- You watch something by paying attention. You see something when your eyes notice it, sometimes without trying.
- Is watch a formal word?
- No, watch is common in everyday English. It is natural in speaking, writing, and business English.
- Can I say watch for a person?
- Yes. It can mean to look after someone or keep an eye on them carefully.