A1verb1K

Watch

UK /["/wɒtʃ/","/ˈwɒtʃɪz/","/wɒtʃt/","/ˈwɒtʃɪŋ/"]/US /["/wɑːtʃ/","/ˈwɑːtʃɪz/","/wɑːtʃt/","/ˈwɑːtʃɪŋ/"]/

Definition

to look at somebody/something for a time, paying attention to what happens

In simple words: To look at something for a period of time.

Examples

  • I love to watch movies on the weekends.
  • Can you watch the kids while I go grocery shopping?
  • He wants to watch the new series that just came out.
  • She had to watch her step on the icy sidewalk.
  • I wear a watch to keep track of time.

Usage notes

Used for looking at moving images or events. More formal contexts may use 'view' instead, while 'watch' is appropriate in casual conversations. Avoid using in highly formal writing.

Grammar pattern

watch + object (e.g. watch a movie)

Memory hint

Think of a 'watch' on your wrist that helps you keep track of time while observing.

Collocations

  • carefully
  • closely
  • attentively
  • could only
  • continue to
  • pause to
  • for
  • from
  • in
  • sit and watch
  • stand and watch
  • watch and wait

Synonyms

  • view
  • observe
  • monitor
  • see
  • glance

Antonyms

  • ignore
  • overlook
  • neglect

Common mistakes

  • 'Watched' vs 'watching': confusing past and present forms.
  • 'Watch' is not used with 'something': saying 'watch something' instead of just 'watch'.
  • Using 'watch' for inanimate objects like books, instead of 'read'.