watch
WOCH
Watch (noun) means a small timepiece worn on the wrist or carried in a pocket. Example: “He checked his watch and realised he was late.”
noun
1
A small timepiece worn on the wrist or carried in a pocket.
"He checked his watch and realised he was late."
"She bought a new leather strap for her old watch."
"My grandfather's pocket watch still keeps perfect time after all these years."
2
The act of keeping guard over someone or something, or the period during which this happens.
"The soldiers took turns keeping watch through the night."
"The nurse kept a close watch over the patient until morning."
"It was his turn to take the night watch at the camp."
verb
1
To look at something attentively for a period of time.
"We watched the sunset from the beach."
"She watched the children while their parents shopped."
"I like to watch the birds in the garden with my morning coffee."
2
To be careful or alert about something.
"Watch out, the floor is slippery."
"You should watch your step on these old stairs."
"Watch what you say around her, because she is very sensitive about the subject."
How to use watch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small clock worn on the wrist, or the act of looking at something closely or guarding it.
Common pairings
keep watch
watch television
a wristwatch
watch out
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Word forms
- Plural
- watches
- Third person singular
- watches
- Past tense
- watched
- Archaic forms
- watchest, watchedst, watcheth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He checked his _____ and realised he was late.
Etymology
From Old English wæċċe, related to the verb "wake" — originally referring to staying awake and alert.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for watch
See all rhymes for watch →Frequently asked questions
What does “watch” mean?
The word “watch” means a small timepiece worn on the wrist or carried in a pocket. In plain terms, a small clock worn on the wrist, or the act of looking at something closely or guarding it.
How do you pronounce “watch”?
“Watch” is pronounced WOCH (/ˈwɒt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “watch” in a sentence?
Here is “watch” used in a sentence: “He checked his watch and realised he was late.”
What is the opposite of “watch”?
The opposite of “watch” — its antonyms — is ignore.
What part of speech is “watch”?
Depending on how it is used, “watch” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “watch” come from?
The word “watch” comes from Old English. From Old English wæċċe, related to the verb "wake" — originally referring to staying awake and alert.
Is “watch” a common word?
“Watch” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “watch” have?
“Watch” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small timepiece worn on the wrist or carried in a pocket.
What is the difference between a watch and a clock?
Both tell the time, but a watch is small and portable, worn on the wrist or carried in a pocket. A clock is larger and usually stays in one place — on a wall, desk, or tower. Put simply, a watch is a personal clock you carry with you.
What are the types of watches?
Watches are commonly divided into analog, with moving hands on a dial, and digital, showing numbers on a screen. By mechanism they can be mechanical, automatic (self-winding), or quartz, powered by a battery. Smartwatches add computer features like messages and fitness tracking to the basic job of telling time.
What is the difference between an analog and a digital watch?
An analog watch shows the time with hands moving around a numbered dial, the traditional design. A digital watch displays the time as numerals on an electronic screen, such as 9:41. Analog is often seen as classic and elegant, while digital is prized for showing the exact time at a glance.
What is a smartwatch?
A smartwatch is a wrist device that tells the time but also runs software like a small computer. It can show notifications, track fitness and heart rate, play music, and connect to a phone. It still counts as a watch because its core purpose remains showing the time on your wrist.
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