watch
watch — verb
1. to direct your eyes toward someone or something that is moving, changing, or doi
to direct your eyes toward someone or something that is moving, changing, or doing something, and pay attention as things unfold — unlike a quick look, this takes place over some length of time.
Kwame watched the sunset from the hill behind his house.
watch + object (event evolving over time)
The children sat on the floor and watched their favourite cartoon.
Nadia watches the news every evening before dinner.
Christopher watched the birds flying over the lake for nearly an hour.
watch + object + verb-ing (ongoing action)
We sat on a bench and watched the boats on the river.
- watch television
- watch a movie
- watch a game
- watch the clock
- watch closely
- watch carefully
- ignore
deliberately not pay attention to something (B1)
Grammar Patterns
watch + object (noun/pronoun)
watch + object + verb
watch + for + noun
Usage Note
Distinguish from 'see' (which happens without effort) and 'look at' (which can be a quick glance). 'Watch' always implies paying attention over time, so you watch a movie but you see a friend across the street.
Common Mistakes
2. to take temporary charge of a child, an older person, or a possession so that th
to take temporary charge of a child, an older person, or a possession so that they stay out of danger.
Can you watch my bag while I buy a ticket at the counter?
watch + possession for a short time
Reema watched her neighbour's son for an hour after school.
Tariq asked his sister to watch the house while he was on holiday.
watch + building / property
Nellie watched the shop while the owner went to lunch.
- watch the children
- watch the house
- watch the bags
- watch the shop
- look after
suggests longer-term care (A2)
- mind
British English; used for children or a shop (B1)
- tend to
more formal; often used with plants or animals (B2)
- neglect
failing to care for something (C1)
Grammar Patterns
watch + object (person/thing)
Usage Note
Unlike 'look after' or 'take care of', 'watch' is normally used for short periods. You watch a friend's child for an hour, but you take care of your own child all day.
Common Mistakes
3. to pay close attention to a situation so that you notice possible danger, proble
to pay close attention to a situation so that you notice possible danger, problems, or changes — for example, watching for icy roads while driving, or watching what you say so you do not offend anyone.
Watch your step — those stairs are very steep and uneven.
watch + possessive + noun (warning)
Élise watched for any sign of movement in the dark forest.
watch + for + noun (looking out for)
You should watch what you eat if you want to lose weight.
Brian watched his language during the job interview and did not use any slang.
The hikers watched the weather closely before setting off up the mountain.
watch + adverb (closely / carefully)
- watch your step
- watch your mouth
- watch for danger
- watch closely
- watch your weight
- watch the time
- be careful of
more general warning; less focused on visual attention (A2)
- be on the lookout for
more idiomatic; suggests active scanning (B2)
- mind
British English; used in warnings like 'mind the gap' (A2)
- disregard
pay no attention to a danger (C1)
Grammar Patterns
watch + question word (what/where)
watch + for + noun
watch + object
Usage Note
Common in fixed expressions: 'watch your mouth/tongue' (be careful what you say), 'watch your step' (be careful how you walk or behave), 'watch your weight/health' (monitor something carefully). The 'watch for' pattern means looking out for something that might appear.
Common Mistakes
watch out
phrasal verbused as a warning to tell someone to be careful because something dangerous is about to happen.
Watch out! A motorcycle is coming right around the corner.
You need to watch out for icy patches on the road in winter.
watch over
phrasal verbto take care of or protect someone or something, especially when they cannot protect themselves.
The older shepherd watched over the sheep while the younger one went for water.
Nadia's grandmother watched over her every day after school until her parents came home.
watch for
phrasal verbto look carefully and expectantly for someone or something to appear or happen.
Christopher watched for the postman every morning, hoping for a letter from his sister.
The lifeguards watch for any swimmers who might be in trouble.
watch out for
phrasal verbTo be alert and careful about something or someone dangerous.
Watch out for icy patches on the road this morning.
The hikers were told to watch out for bears in the forest.
watch your step
idiomto be careful about how you behave in a situation that could get you into trouble.
The new manager is strict, so you'd better watch your step around the office.
Joaquín knew he had to watch his step when talking to the angry customer.
watch the clock
idiomto keep looking at the time because you are bored or eager for something to end.
The lecture was so dull that half the students were watching the clock.
Hari hated his summer job and spent the whole day watching the clock.
used to describe an activity that is extremely boring and slow.
The board meeting was like watching paint dry — nobody said anything new.
Reema found the documentary as interesting as watching paint dry and fell asleep.
watch this space
idiomused to tell someone to look for more news or information about something soon.
We are working on a surprise for our customers — watch this space.
The band promised a new album next year, so fans should watch this space.
to be careful what you say so that you do not offend or upset anyone.
You'd better watch your mouth when you talk to the judge.
Eitan told his brother to watch his tongue after the rude comment.
To speak in a polite way that does not upset others.
The teacher told the students to mind their language during class.
Watch your language, please; there are children present.
mind/watch your step
idiomTo walk carefully to avoid falling or trouble.
Mind your step on the icy sidewalk this morning.
You should watch your step when dealing with that manager.
watch your back
idiomTo stay alert and protect yourself from danger or harm.
In this competitive office, you need to watch your back.
Maya told her brother to watch his back in the new neighborhood.
Time seems to pass slowly when you are waiting for something to happen.
Stop checking the clock; a watched pot never boils.
Waiting for exam results feels endless, but a watched pot never boils.
watch it
idiomA warning to someone to be careful or stop doing something.
Watch it! That hot pan will burn your hand.
The driver shouted, "Watch it!" as the cyclist swerved.
To be careful not to say rude or offensive things.
Watch your mouth when speaking to your grandmother.
The coach told the player to watch his tongue after the outburst.
watch the time
idiomTo pay attention to the clock so you are not late or finish on time.
I need to watch the time; my train leaves at five.
She watched the time carefully during the exam to finish all questions.
To sit and relax while observing people and activity in a public place.
We sat on a bench in the park, watching the world go by.
Diego enjoys watching the world go by from his favorite café.
watch — noun
1. a small timekeeping device worn around the wrist on a strap or bracelet, used to
a small timekeeping device worn around the wrist on a strap or bracelet, used to tell the time.
Joon checked his watch and realised he was late for the meeting.
check + watch (common collocation)
Ingrid wears a silver watch that her grandmother gave her years ago.
My watch stopped working, so I need to buy a new battery.
Hari glanced at his watch during the long lecture and sighed.
glance at + watch (quick look)
Kwame bought a smart watch that tracks his heart rate and steps.
- wear a watch
- check your watch
- look at your watch
- digital watch
- smart watch
- gold watch
- my watch is slow/fast
- wristwatch
more formal or technical term for a watch on your wrist (A2)
- timepiece
formal or old-fashioned term for any clock or watch (C1)
- chronometer
very precise watch; used for scientific or sailing purposes (C2)
Grammar Patterns
wear + a watch
look at + watch
check + watch
Usage Note
A watch differs from a clock because you wear it. 'Wristwatch' is a fuller term but less common in everyday speech. 'Pocket watch' is a different kind of watch carried in a pocket.
Common Mistakes
2. the act of giving close and ongoing attention to someone or something so that ha
the act of giving close and ongoing attention to someone or something so that harm or wrongdoing does not occur.
The police kept a close watch on the empty building all night.
keep + watch (collocation)
Soldiers maintained a constant watch at every checkpoint along the border.
Nellie kept watch while the others searched the room for evidence.
keep watch (stand guard)
The neighbourhood watch organises patrols every evening after dark.
Mert kept watch from the rooftop while the security team unlocked the back entrance.
- keep watch
- stand watch
- maintain a watch
- be on watch
- neighbourhood watch
- close watch
- constant watch
- surveillance
formal; systematic observation by authorities (C1)
- lookout
the state of watching for something to happen (B2)
- vigil
staying awake to watch, often for religious or protest purposes (C1)
- negligence
failing to watch or guard properly (C1)
Grammar Patterns
keep watch
stand watch
be on watch
Usage Note
Often used in the fixed phrases 'keep watch' (to stay alert and look for danger) and 'be on watch' (to be in the position of guarding). 'Neighbourhood watch' is a community program where residents look out for crime.
Common Mistakes
3. an individual or team employed to keep a building, area, or person safe from har
an individual or team employed to keep a building, area, or person safe from harm, trespass, or theft.
The night watch made his rounds through the factory every hour.
The night watch patrols the factory grounds every two hours from dusk until dawn.
guard personnel doing rounds
The afternoon watch checked every delivery truck at the factory gate before letting it through.
Tariq served on the night watch for two years at the embassy.
- night watch
- coast guard
- watchtower
- change of watch
- the watch
Grammar Patterns
the watch + singular/plural verb
Usage Note
When used as a collective noun ('the watch'), it refers to the entire group of guards on duty. 'Night watch' refers specifically to guards working through the night. 'Watchman' is an older term for an individual guard.
4. a scheduled block of hours when a crew member or guard is responsible for safety
a scheduled block of hours when a crew member or guard is responsible for safety, most commonly used on ships.
Joaquín was assigned to the first watch, from midnight until four in the morning.
first / second / third watch (nautical system)
Each sailor serves a four-hour watch and then has eight hours off duty.
During Brian's watch, nothing unusual happened on the ship.
The captain ordered the crew to report for the next watch at six o'clock sharp.
- first watch
- second watch
- night watch
- four-hour watch
- stand watch
- relieve the watch
- shift
general term for any work period (B1)
- duty period
more general and formal (B2)
- dog watch
specific short watch period on a ship (C2)
Grammar Patterns
first/second/third watch
during + possessive + watch
watch + ends/begins
Usage Note
On ships, the day is divided into watches of usually four hours each (though some are two-hour dog watches). 'Watch' can also refer to the section of the crew on duty during that period.
Common Mistakes
5. the period during which a particular person is responsible for a situation or or
the period during which a particular person is responsible for a situation or organisation and is answerable for what happens.
The company lost three major clients on the previous manager's watch.
on + possessive + watch (responsibility)
New factory safety rules were introduced on Kwame's watch as head of security.
No mistakes were made under Reema's watch, though the team was short-staffed.
Not on my watch! the captain shouted when a sailor suggested ignoring the safety drill.
'not on my watch' (refusal to allow)
- on someone's watch
- under someone's watch
- not on my watch
Grammar Patterns
on + possessive + watch
under + possessive + watch
Usage Note
Almost always used in the fixed phrases 'on someone's watch' or 'under someone's watch'. Commonly appears in negative contexts — things that went wrong while a person was in charge. 'Not on my watch!' is a common expression meaning 'I will not allow that to happen.'
Word family
- watchernounB2
- watchfuladjectiveB2
- watchfullyadverbC1
- watchfulnessnounC1
- wristwatchnounA2
- watchtowernounB2
- watchmannounB2
- stopwatchnounB1
- watchdognounB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
'See' is the most basic word — it means to use your eyes and notice something, often without planning or effort (you see a car coming, you see a friend across the street). 'Look at' means you turn your eyes toward something and pay attention, but it can be just a moment. 'Watch' adds the element of time: you watch something that is moving, changing, or developing, and you follow it closely (you watch a movie, you watch a child playing). 'Observe' is more formal and suggests careful, systematic attention — a scientist observes an experiment, a teacher observes a student's behaviour. 'View' is often used with specific visual experiences such as films, photographs, or art exhibits; it can also suggest looking from a particular physical position (viewing a painting from different angles). In daily conversation, 'watch' is the best choice for television, sports, and events; 'see' works for quick, passive perception; and 'look at' is neutral for directing your eyes somewhere briefly.
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'watch' comes from Old English 'wæccan', which meant 'to be awake, to stay awake'. The idea was that you stayed awake to guard something. This is why the noun 'watch' can mean a person who guards (a watchman) and the verb can mean to protect or take care of. The meaning of a small timepiece comes from the 1500s — early pocket watches were called 'watches' because they were used by sailors on night watch duty to tell the time during their shifts. Over time, 'watch' shifted from the person doing the watching to the instrument used to measure the passing time during that duty. The modern wristwatch became popular in the early 1900s for soldiers and then spread to everyday use.