watchful
/ˈwɒtʃfl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈwɑːtʃfl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈwäch-fəl ˈwȯch-/ (ame, mw)
watchful — adjective
- watchfulpositive
- more watchfulcomparative
- most watchfulsuperlative
1. keeping your mind and senses focused on your surroundings so that you can quickl
keeping your mind and senses focused on your surroundings so that you can quickly spot any danger, trouble, or signs that something may go wrong.
The night guard remained watchful throughout his long shift at the museum.
watchful + period of time (throughout his shift)
Brandon's watchful eyes caught the child just before she ran into the street.
watchful + noun of perception (eyes) + verb of catching
Adaeze kept a watchful eye on the pot as the sauce began to thicken.
Maeve stayed watchful as she walked home through the dimly lit alley.
The librarian kept a watchful presence near the children's reading corner.
- alert
More immediate and active; suggests quick readiness to act, while watchful implies a calmer, longer-term state of awareness.
- vigilant
More formal and intense; suggests being on guard against specific danger, often used in official or security contexts.
- observant
Focuses on noticing details and small changes, without the same sense of preparing for possible problems.
- wary
Emphasises suspicion and caution, often due to past negative experience, whereas watchful is more neutral and careful.
- inattentive
Not paying attention; the direct opposite of watchful attention.
- oblivious
Unaware of what is happening, while watchful means actively noticing.
- careless
Lacking the careful attention that characterises a watchful person.
用法筆記
Often paired with nouns of perception (eye, gaze, look) or used in the verb phrase keep a watchful eye on someone/something. Unlike alert, watchful describes a sustained state rather than a sudden reaction.