watch
/wɒtʃ/ (bre, ipa) · /wɑːtʃ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈwäch ˈwȯch/ (ame, mw)
watch — verb
- watchpresent simple I / you / we / they
- watcheshe / she / it
- watchedpast simple
- watching-ing form
1. to fix your eyes on someone or something for a while as they move, change, or de
to fix your eyes on someone or something for a while as they move, change, or develop — for instance, following a film on a screen, a player on the field, or a bird crossing the sky.
Ayesha sat on the balcony and watched the boats sail into the harbour.
watch + object + infinitive without to
The children watched a documentary about polar bears in Canada.
Daniel watched the chef prepare the dish so he could try it at home.
Joaquín watched the train until it disappeared around the bend.
文法句型
watch + object
watch + object + do something
watch + object + doing something
watch + wh-clause
用法筆記
Often used with an object followed by either a bare infinitive (without to) or a present participle: 'I watched her cross the street' (completed action) vs. 'I watched her crossing the street' (action in progress).
常見錯誤
2. to look after a person or an item for a short while to keep them out of trouble
to look after a person or an item for a short while to keep them out of trouble — for example, keeping an eye on a friend's bag while they go to the toilet, or staying with a young child while their parents step out.
Could you watch my laptop while I order a coffee at the counter?
watch + object for short-term care
Hugo watched his little sister at the playground while their mother went to buy tickets.
Baraka watched the neighbour's house while the family was on holiday.
The teacher asked a student to watch the classroom door during the drill.
- mind
common in British English; 'Could you mind my bag?'
- look after
used for both short and long periods of care
- neglect
to fail to care for someone or something properly
文法句型
watch + object
watch + over + object
用法筆記
Often used as a friendly request: 'Watch my bag for a second?' This sense is the same as 'keep an eye on' in informal contexts.
常見錯誤
3. to pay attention to a situation, action, or thing in order to avoid problems, da
to pay attention to a situation, action, or thing in order to avoid problems, danger, or mistakes — for example, being careful where you step, or paying attention to what you say in a difficult conversation.
Watch your step — the path is full of loose stones.
fixed expression: watch your step
Yael needs to watch what she eats because of her food allergies.
Watch your head — the ceiling is very low in this old basement.
Jason needs to watch his spending this month after he lost his job.
- be careful of
more general; 'be careful of the wet floor'
- mind
common in British English; 'mind the gap'
文法句型
watch + object
watch + wh-clause
watch + that-clause
用法筆記
Common in set phrases like 'watch your step,' 'watch your language,' and 'watch your back.' Often used as a gentle warning.
常見錯誤
watch — noun
- watchsingular
- watchesplural
1. a small device that shows the time and is worn on the wrist using a band, or car
a small device that shows the time and is worn on the wrist using a band, or carried in a pocket.
Léa glanced at her watch and realized she was ten minutes late.
watch as a worn timepiece
My grandfather gave me his old pocket watch with a gold chain.
Kofi forgot to put on his watch this morning and felt lost all day.
Andrés set his watch five minutes ahead so he would never be late.
- wristwatch
a more specific term for a watch worn on the wrist
- timepiece
a formal or old-fashioned term for any device that measures time
用法筆記
A watch is smaller than a clock and meant to be carried or worn. The digital watch is now common, but mechanical and smart watches are also popular.
常見錯誤
2. the activity of paying close attention to a person, place, or situation, especia
the activity of paying close attention to a person, place, or situation, especially in order to prevent danger or catch problems early.
The neighbours kept a watch on the old house after the owner moved away.
keep a watch on [something]
Lakan asked a friend to keep watch while he climbed over the garden fence.
The weather service issued a flood watch for all coastal towns.
The security guard kept watch on the camera screens all night.
- surveillance
more formal and often implies the use of cameras or technology
- monitoring
suggests checking something regularly over a long period
用法筆記
This sense often appears in the fixed phrases 'keep watch' and 'keep a watch on.' It can also combine with other nouns: 'neighbourhood watch,' 'flood watch.'
3. a person or team whose job is to guard a building, area, or group against harm o
a person or team whose job is to guard a building, area, or group against harm or threats.
Eri works as a night watch at the museum, checking every room after closing.
night watch as a job role
A watch of six soldiers guarded the entrance to the government building.
Ravindra was chosen to stand watch at the main gate of the embassy.
The night watch made his rounds, checking every door was locked.
用法筆記
When using 'watch' to refer to a person, it is common to specify the type: 'night watch,' 'security watch,' 'coast watch.' The plural 'watches' can mean either multiple timepieces or multiple guard groups.
4. a scheduled block of duty when a guard, soldier, or sailor must stay alert and m
a scheduled block of duty when a guard, soldier, or sailor must stay alert and monitor a place or group.
Zayd had the first watch and stayed awake from midnight until four in the morning.
first / second / third watch (nautical shifts)
The sailors split into two groups and took turns on watch throughout the night.
The captain assigned Mei to the middle watch, which meant working until dawn.
During her watch, Nila noticed a small boat drifting toward shore without lights.
- shift
a more general term for any period of scheduled work
- duty period
emphasises the responsibility aspect
用法筆記
Originally a nautical term — the traditional four-hour watch periods at sea. Also used in military and security contexts for any scheduled guard shift.