Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Language: Old English
Origin: wæccan

watch

1 verb
     
watch1 S1 W1
1

look

[intransitive and transitive] to look at someone or something for a period of time, paying attention to what is happening:
Do you mind if I watch?
We sat and watched the sunset.
watch carefully/closely/intently etc
He watched helplessly as Paula fell into the icy water.
Watch carefully. You may learn something.
watch somebody/something do/doing something
I watched him go, then went home.
Ruth could not bear to watch her parents arguing.
watch to do something
I watched to see how he'd react.
watch television/a film etc
The debate was watched by 97 million viewers.
Most parents don't know what their kids are watching on TV.
watch what/how/when etc
It's useful to watch how other pilots handle the glider.
➔ see usage note see1
2

be careful

[transitive] to act carefully in order to avoid an accident or unwanted situation
watch (that)
Watch he doesn't run into the road.
She's a student and has to watch her budget closely.
Watch your head on the shelf.
watch what/how/where etc
Silly old fool! Why doesn't he watch where he's going?
Watch what you're doing! It's spilling everywhere!
Watch yourself (=be careful) in Madrid; there are some rough areas.
watch what you say/your tongue/your language/your mouth etc (=be careful not to hurt or offend people by what you say)
Employees should watch what they say in personal emails.
watch your weight/watch what you eat (=be careful not to get fat)
He may be a former athlete, but he still has to watch his weight.
3

pay attention

[transitive] to pay attention to a situation that interests or worries you to see how it develops
watch closely/carefully
American companies are watching Japanese developments closely.
The government will watch the progress of these schemes with interest.
4

care for

[transitive] to stay with someone or something so that nothing bad happens to them:
She watches the kids for us occasionally.
5

secretly

[transitive] to secretly watch a person or place:
I feel like I'm being watched.
6

watch your step

informal to be careful, especially about making someone angry:
He soon saw he'd have to watch his step with some of these guys.
7

watch your back

informal to be careful because other people may try to harm you
8

watch the clock

informal to keep looking at the time because you are worried or bored:
anxious mums watching the clock
9

watch the time

to make sure you know what time it is to avoid being late
10

watch it

spoken used to warn someone to be careful:
Watch it, there's a car.
11

watch this space

informalTCN used to tell people to pay attention in the future because things are going to develop further - used especially in newspapers
12

one to watch

someone or something that people should pay attention to because they are interesting or exciting:
In the tournament so far, Italy's Stefania Croce looks like the one to watch.
13

watch the world go by

to relax outside by just looking at the people around you:
lingering in a pavement cafe, watching the world go by
14

you watch

informal used to tell someone that you know what will happen:
He'll win this time, you watch.

➔ watch somebody like a hawk

at hawk1

watch (out) for something

phrasal verb
to pay close attention in a particular situation because you are expecting something to happen or you want to avoid something bad:
She stepped outside to watch for the cab.
What problems should I watch out for when buying an old house?

watch out

phrasal verb
used to tell someone to be careful:
You'll become an alcoholic if you don't watch out.

watch over somebody

phrasal verb
to protect someone so that they are not harmed:
There must have been an angel watching over me that day.
WORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:

see, watch, look atSee means to notice something with your eyes, either deliberately or accidentally • I saw a great film last week. • A few people saw him take the bag.Watch means to deliberately pay attention to something for quite a long time • They were all watching the game on TV. • He watched her leave.When you look at something, you deliberately turn your eyes towards it in order to see it • There was a loud noise and everyone looked at the screen.!! You can see something on television or watch television, but do not say 'see television' • After I finish my homework I usually watch television. ➔ See also see
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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