watch

Word family  noun watch watcher adjective watchful watchable verb watch

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++watch1 /wɒtʃ $ wɑːtʃ, wɒːtʃ/ ●●● S1 W1 verb  1  look 看 [intransitive, transitive]LOOK AT to look at someone or something for a period of time, paying attention to what is happening 观看；注视；观察 Do you mind if I watch? 你介意我看着吗？ We sat and watched the sunset. 我们坐下来看日落。watch carefully/closely/intently etc He watched helplessly as Paula fell into the icy water. 他无助地看着葆拉落入冰冷的水中。 Watch carefully. You may learn something. 仔细看，也许你能学到点东西。watch (somebody/something) with interest/amusement/delight etc Harriet watched him with interest. 哈丽雅特饶有兴致地注视着他。watch somebody/something do/doing something I watched him go, then went home. 我看着他离去，然后回了家。 Ruth could not bear to watch her parents arguing. 露丝看不得父母争吵。watch to do something I watched to see how he’d react. 我看看他会作何反应。watch television/a film etc The debate was watched by 97 million viewers. 这场辩论有9,700万观众观看。 Most parents don’t know what their kids are watching on TV. 大多数父母不知道自己的孩子都在看什么电视节目。watch what/how/when etc It’s useful to watch how other pilots handle the glider. 观察别的飞行员如何操纵滑翔机很有帮助。 →5  See picture of buckle 带扣, watchstrap 表带, hand 指针, face 表面 →5 see picture at 见图 look12  be careful 小心 [transitive]CAREFUL to act carefully in order to avoid an accident or unwanted situation 留心，注意〔某事〕watch (that) Watch he doesn’t run into the road. 留心别让他跑到马路上去。 She’s a student and has to watch her budget closely. 她还是个学生，所以只能掂量着花钱。 Watch your head on the shelf. 小心头，别碰到架子。watch what/how/where etc Silly old fool! Why doesn’t he watch where he’s going? 老傻瓜！他走路怎么不看着点？ Watch what you’re doing! It’s spilling everywhere! 做事小心点！你洒得到处都是！ Watch yourself (=be careful) in Madrid; there are some rough areas. 在马德里要小心点，有些地区很危险。watch what you say/your tongue/your language/your mouth etc (=be careful not to hurt or offend people by what you say) 说话小心，注意自己的言辞 Employees should watch what they say in personal emails. 员工应该注意自己在私人电子邮件中的措辞。watch your weight/watch what you eat (=be careful not to get fat) 注意体重/吃东西小心 He may be a former athlete, but he still has to watch his weight. 虽说他以前是个运动员，但他还是得注意自己的体重。3  pay attention 留意 [transitive] to pay attention to a situation that interests or worries you to see how it develops 关注watch closely/carefully American companies are watching Japanese developments closely. 美国公司正在密切关注日本的发展情况。 The government will watch the progress of these schemes with interest. 政府会很有兴趣地关注这些计划的进展。4  care for 照顾 [transitive]LOOK AFTER somebody to stay with someone or something so that nothing bad happens to them 照看；照管 She watches the kids for us occasionally. 她偶尔会替我们照看孩子。5  secretly 暗中 [transitive]WATCH to secretly watch a person or place 监视 I feel like I’m being watched. 我感觉似乎有人在监视我。6  watch your step informalCAREFUL to be careful, especially about making someone angry 做事要谨慎小心〔尤指不要惹怒他人〕 He soon saw he’d have to watch his step with some of these guys. 他很快就明白自己得小心，免得惹恼了这帮家伙中的某些人。7. watch your back informal to be careful because other people may try to harm you 小心背后〔因可能有人暗算〕8  watch the clock informalNOT DO something to keep looking at the time because you are worried or bored 〔因担心或不耐烦而〕老在看钟 anxious mums watching the clock 急得不停地看时间的妈妈们9. watch the time ON TIMEto make sure you know what time it is to avoid being late 留意时间〔以免耽误〕10  watch it spoken used to warn someone to be careful 当心，小心 Watch it, there’s a car. 当心，有车。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 关注事态的发展，请继续关注〔尤用于新闻报道〕12  one to watch someone or something that people should pay attention to because they are interesting or exciting 值得一看的人[事物]，值得关注的人[事物] In the tournament so far, Italy’s Stefania Croce looks like the one to watch. 锦标赛进行到现在，意大利的斯特凡尼娅•克罗齐看来值得关注。13  watch the world go by LOOK ATto relax outside by just looking at the people around you 〔悠闲地〕观察周围发生的事，看周围的世界 lingering in a pavement café, watching the world go by 流连于路边咖啡馆，闲看周围的世界14  you watch informal used to tell someone that you know what will happen 你看着吧〔用于告诉某人你知道将要发生什么〕 He’ll win this time, you watch. 看着吧，这次他会赢的。15 watch (out) for something phrasal verb READYto pay close attention in a particular situation because you are expecting something to happen or you want to avoid something bad 密切注意，留意 She stepped outside to watch for the cab. 她走到外面等出租车。 What problems should I watch out for when buying an old house? 如果我买旧房子该注意哪些问题？16 watch out phrasal verb informal WARNused to tell someone to be careful 小心〔用于提醒某人〕 You’ll become an alcoholic if you don’t watch out. 你要是不当心，就会变成酒鬼的。17 watch over somebody phrasal verb LOOK AFTER somebodyto protect someone so that they are not harmed 保护，照看〔某人〕 There must have been an angel watching over me that day. 那天一定是有天使在保护我。 → watch somebody like a hawk at hawk1n COLLOCATIONSnounswatch televisionWe watched television all evening.watch a programme/film/showThey were watching a film on TV.adverbscloselyI watched him closely while he was giving his evidence.carefullyShe watched very carefully and did exactly as he did.helplesslyHe watched helplessly as his son was swept away by the waves.intently (=with a lot of attention)Her father was watching her intently as she worked.phraseswith interest/amusement etcA small crowd of people were watching them with interest.in horror/amazement etcHe watched in horror as the flames engulfed his house. THESAURUSwatch to look at someone or something for a period of time and pay attention to what is happening 观看；注视；观察They were all watching the game. 他们都在看比赛。I watched him get out of his car. 我看着他从他车上下来。nWe are watching carefully to see how the situation develops.keep an eye on somebody/something to watch someone or something carefully so that you are prepared if anything bad happens 密切留意某人/某物The doctors are keeping a careful eye on her. 医生仔细留意她的情况。Can you keep an eye on my bag for me? 你能照看一下我的包吗？nKeep an eye on house prices before you decide to sell.observe to watch someone or something carefully in order to learn more about them 〔为增加了解而〕观察A 24-hour camera is being used to observe the birds’ behaviour. 一台24小时运作的摄像机被用来观察鸟类的行为。During your teacher training you will be encouraged to observe lessons. 教师培训期间会鼓励你观摩别人上课。monitor to watch a situation carefully to see how it changes over a period of time 监视；监测〔一段时期内的变化〕Class teachers are responsible for monitoring the progress of each student. 班主任有责任密切关注每个学生的进步。nEconomists are monitoring the situation carefully.spy on somebody to watch someone secretly in order to find out what they are doing 监视某人He hired a private detective to spy on her. 他雇了一名私家侦探监视她。nIn the 1960s, government agencies were spying on everybody.nsomeone who watches somethingspectator someone who watches an event, especially a sports eventThere were 4,500 spectators at the game.a crowd of spectatorsviewer someone who watches televisionMillions of television viewers listened to the president’s speech.programmes for younger viewersaudience the people who watch a play or performance, or the people who watch a particular television programmeThe audience roared with laughter and clapped.It attracted a television audience of seven million.onlooker someone who watches something happening without being involved in it, especially in the streetA man was standing on the roof, watched by a crowd of onlookers below.observer someone who watches and pays attention to particular situations and events, because they are interested in them, or it is their jobShe was a shrewd observer of human nature.a political observer who writes for The Independent newspaperThe United Nations has sent military observers to the Sudan.→ See Verb table

Examples from the Corpus

watch• "Do you want to play too?" "No, thanks. I'll just watch."• Do you want to join in or just sit and watch?• He had the feeling that he was being watched.• I watched as the small boat disappeared over the horizon.• The Presidential debate was watched by over 10 million people.• My head twisted around to watch her as I walked.• Slowly, so that we can watch her face.• I shop there regularly and I've watched her gathering nuggets of people's lives.• It was mesmerizing to watch her, to see if she could make it.• The thieves had obviously been watching his house and knew when he was likely to be out.• They watched how he was forced to let Paul manage the navigation as he stood close by.• Many swimmers are videoed during training so they can watch how their performance improves.• We have watched hundreds of small firms collapse over the last few years.• She watched it slip and slide this way and that to fall at her feet.• He watches Julio listen for the sound and not hear it.• He watched Lux pour himself a half cup of coffee and sit down in front of the radios.• Detectives have been watching Mr Heskey's movements for some time.• Stay here and watch our bags while I go and buy some food.• Did you watch that programme about real life murders last night?• We watched the children playing on the beach.• Who can I get to watch the kids tonight?• She watched the man with interest as he made his way through the crowd.• Both candidates are watching the opinion polls carefully.• Ed likes to go to the park and watch the pigeons.• They watched the runners go past.• Don't let children play near water without an adult to watch them.• Watch your fingers - I'm closing the door.watch what/how/when etc• And, yes, it was possible that he was watching when I buried my purse in the luggage.• Lipchitz remembered her coming to watch when Modigliani painted his wedding portrait.• The researchers injected formalin into animals' paws and watched how often they licked the wound.• I watched how reluctant he looked to bet.• Tell him to watch what Schellenberg gets up to.• It is fascinating to watch how the judges in those dark times tricked women into their confessions.• Children have their fingers on the record button and watch what they like.• Artie Nusbaum is an experienced Schuster-watcher: He watches what we do.watch where ... going• Why don't you watch where you're going?• I learned to watch where I was going at all times.• Never watching where they are going, the people move through something prearranged, armed with lies.watch closely/carefully• Countries in the Middle East will be watching closely.• Price, coming off a year of virtual inactivity because of left foot surgery, will be watched closely.• That decision is being watched closely by investors.• As this is the stage at which material is actively removed, the sections should be watched carefully during this process.• The text needs to be watched closely for all may not be as it seems at first.• Matilda, watching closely, saw no signs of distress in the boy yet.• I watched closely the Britts and other successful men and women in this business.• During that day on Lulu, I watched closely the men who tended Alvin and envied them the challenge of their job.

Related topics: Daily life, Measurement

ldoce_349_awatch2 ●●● S2 W3 noun  1  [countable]DTM a small clock that you wear on your wrist or keep in your pocket 表，手表；怀表 My watch has stopped. 我的表停了。look at/glance at/consult your watch She glanced nervously at her watch. 她紧张地看了看表。 How do you keep track of time if you don’t wear a watch? 如果你不戴表，怎么知道时间？ →4  See picture of 见图 watch2  [singular, uncountable]WARN when you watch someone or something carefully, or pay careful attention to them, so that you are ready to act if necessary 注视；监视 The police arrived to keep watch on the mouth of the tunnel. 警察赶来监控隧道口的情况。watch on/over He maintained a 24-hour watch over his son. 他24小时看着儿子。 Security forces kept a close watch on our activities. 保安部队密切监视着我们的活动。3  keep a watch out for somebody/something  (also be on the watch for somebody/something)LOOK FOR to be looking and waiting for something that might happen or someone you might see, especially so that you can avoid danger, trouble etc 小心提防某人/某事物，对某人/某事物保持戒备 Be on the watch for anything suspicious. 注意任何可疑情况。4  [countable]PROTECT a group of people whose job is to guard or protect someone or something 警卫；看守人 We were arrested and held until the arrival of the night watch (=people responsible for keeping the streets safe at night, especially in past times). 我们被逮住，并一直扣留到巡夜警察到来。 → neighbourhood watch5  [countable, uncountable]PREVENT a period of time when it is someone’s duty to stay somewhere and look for signs of danger 值班时间 The first watch is from now until midnight. 第一班从现在开始到午夜。on watch Who’s on watch tonight? 今晚谁值班？n COLLOCATIONSverbslook at/glance at your watchI looked at my watch. It was 4.30.check/consult your watchHe checked his watch and saw that it was only 2.15.a watch says ...My watch says twenty past one.put your watch forward (=make it show a later time)The passengers were reminded to put their watches forward three hours.put your watch back (=make it show an earlier time)On Saturday night, don’t forget to put your watch back an hour.set your watch (=make it show the correct time)I set my watch by the clock on the mantelpiece.wear a watchHe wore a gold watch.a watch stopsHer watch had stopped after getting wet in the sea.adjectivessomebody’s watch is fast/runs fast (=it shows a later time)No, it’s only 12.15 – your watch must be fast.somebody’s watch is slow/runs slow (=it shows an earlier time)'He’s late.' 'Maybe his watch is running slow.'

Examples from the Corpus

watch• After crossing the bridge Moran checked his watch and to their infinite relief started to walk quickly.• His watch said that it was nine-thirty, and he cringed to think of the time he had lost.• I felt oddly naked without my watch, I always do.• Noon meal formations will still be precisely at 12: 10, with tourists still standing watch.• He held the watch to his ear to see if it was working.• As a result, he was forced to lubricate the watch.• The captains knew all the tricks though, and were constantly on the watch.• He got three watches, some money, knives, and other things.wear ... watch• He was not even wearing a watch and he needed a shave.• Something about not wearing a watch, he ventured.• A few people never need to wear a watch because they always know what the time is.• Watches as well, everyone in the room was wearing a watch.kept a close watch• And the Committee has kept a close watch on the uses made by the broadcasters of parliamentary material in their programmes.• The inspector kept close watch of their arms and equipments and clothing.• Fortunately Scott was reasonably obedient as long as some one kept a close watch over him.night watch• But lack of sleep due to the four-hour night watches was a perfectly reasonable, if not wholly true, explanation for both.• We were all damp, tired, and did not look forward to managing Hsu Fu through the long night watches.• Also we stopped using our little paraffin lamp during the night watch, and used torches instead.• Our hand torches for the night watch began to break down.• Whilst others were only allowed to keep the night watch once each week, Nicholas undertook it three times.• It was the third hour of the night watch.• For the rest of the time it was a question of patience under uncomfortable conditions, particularly on the night watch.Origin watch1 Old English wæccan

watch1 verb →10-17
→n COLLOCATIONS1 →THESAURUS1watch2 noun →n COLLOCATIONS1LDOCE OnlineChinese  

look someone period for a to or something Corpus at

watch

I

watch¹ S1 W1 /wɒtʃ $ wɑːtʃ, wɒːtʃ/ verb1.  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) with interest/amusement/delight etc
    Harriet watched him with interest.
    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.
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 informal 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 café, 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
     

COLLOCATIONS

■ nouns
   ▪ watch television We watched television all evening.
   ▪ watch a programme/film/show They were watching a film on TV.
■ adverbs
   ▪ closely I watched him closely while he was giving his evidence.
   ▪ carefully She watched very carefully and did exactly as he did.
   ▪ helplessly He watched helplessly as his son was swept away by the waves.
   ▪ intently (=with a lot of attention) Her father was watching her intently as she worked.
■ phrases
   ▪ with interest/amusement etc A small crowd of people were watching them with interest.
   ▪ in horror/amazement etc He watched in horror as the flames engulfed his house.
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ watch to look at someone or something for a period of time and pay attention to what is happening: They were all watching the game. | I watched him get out of his car. | We are watching carefully to see how the situation develops.
   ▪ keep an eye on somebody/something to watch someone or something carefully so that you are prepared if anything bad happens: The doctors are keeping a careful eye on her. | Can you keep an eye on my bag for me? | Keep an eye on house prices before you decide to sell.
   ▪ observe to watch someone or something carefully in order to learn more about them: A 24-hour camera is being used to observe the birds’ behaviour. | During your teacher training you will be encouraged to observe lessons.
   ▪ monitor to watch a situation carefully to see how it changes over a period of time: Class teachers are responsible for monitoring the progress of each student. | Economists are monitoring the situation carefully.
   ▪ spy on somebody to watch someone secretly in order to find out what they are doing: He hired a private detective to spy on her. | In the 1960s, government agencies were spying on everybody.
■ someone who watches something
   ▪ spectator someone who watches an event, especially a sports event: There were 4,500 spectators at the game. | a crowd of spectators
   ▪ viewer someone who watches television: Millions of television viewers listened to the President’s speech. | programmes for younger viewers
   ▪ audience the people who watch a play or performance, or the people who watch a particular television programme: The audience roared with laughter and clapped. | It attracted a television audience of seven million.
   ▪ onlooker someone who watches something happening without being involved in it, especially in the street: A man was standing on the roof, watched by a crowd of onlookers below.
   ▪ observer someone who watches and pays attention to particular situations and events, because they are interested in them, or it is their job: She was a shrewd observer of human nature. | a political observer who writes for The Independent newspaper | The United Nations has sent military observers to the Sudan.
     
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 informal
  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.

II

watch² S2 W3 noun
1. [countable] a small clock that you wear on your wrist or keep in your pocket:
    My watch has stopped.
    look at/glance at/consult your watch
    She glanced nervously at her watch.
    How do you keep track of time if you don’t wear a watch?
2. [singular, uncountable] when you watch someone or something carefully, or pay careful attention to them, so that you are ready to act if necessary:
    The police arrived to keep watch on the mouth of the tunnel.
    watch on/over
    He maintained a 24-hour watch over his son.
    Security forces kept a close watch on our activities.
3. keep a watch out for somebody/something (also be on the watch for somebody/something) to be looking and waiting for something that might happen or someone you might see, especially so that you can avoid danger, trouble etc:
    Be on the watch for anything suspicious.
4. [countable] a group of people whose job is to guard or protect someone or something:
    We were arrested and held until the arrival of the night watch (=people responsible for keeping the streets safe at night, especially in past times). ⇨ neighbourhood watch
5. [uncountable and countable] a period of time when it is someone’s duty to stay somewhere and look for signs of danger:
    The first watch is from now until midnight.
    on watch
    Who’s on watch tonight?
     

COLLOCATIONS

■ verbs
   ▪ look at/glance at your watch I looked at my watch. It was 4.30.
   ▪ check/consult your watch He checked his watch and saw that it was only 2.15.
   ▪ a watch says ... My watch says twenty past one.
   ▪ put your watch forward (=make it show a later time) The passengers were reminded to put their watches forward three hours.
   ▪ put your watch back (=make it show an earlier time) On Saturday night, don’t forget to put your watch back an hour.
   ▪ set your watch (=make it show the correct time) I set my watch by the clock on the mantelpiece.
   ▪ wear a watch He wore a gold watch.
   ▪ a watch stops Her watch had stopped after getting wet in the sea.
■ adjectives
   ▪ sb’s watch is fast/runs fast (=it shows a later time) No, it’s only 12.15 – your watch must be fast.
   ▪ sb’s watch is slow/runs slow (=it shows an earlier time) 'He’s late.' 'Maybe his watch is running slow.'