on the watch

O o

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [on, awn stressed th ee woch]
- /ɒn, ɔn stressed ði wɒtʃ/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [on, awn stressed th ee woch]
- /ɒn, ɔn stressed ði wɒtʃ/

Definitions of on the watch words

verb without object on the watch to be alertly on the lookout, look attentively, or observe, as to see what comes, is done, or happens: to watch while an experiment is performed. 1
verb without object on the watch to look or wait attentively and expectantly (usually followed by for): to watch for a signal; to watch for an opportunity. 1
verb without object on the watch to be careful or cautious: Watch when you cross the street. 1
verb without object on the watch to keep awake, especially for a purpose; remain vigilant, as for protection or safekeeping: to watch with a sick person. 1
verb without object on the watch to keep vigil, as for devotional purposes. 1
verb without object on the watch to keep guard: She was assigned to watch at the door. 1

See all 26 definitions of on the watch

Information block about the term

Origin of on the watch

First appearance:

before 900

One of the 4% oldest English words

before 900; 1580-90 for def 15; (v.) Middle English wacchen, Old English wæccan, doublet of wacian to be awake (see wake1); (noun) Middle English wacche, Old English wæcce, derivative of wæccan

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for On the watch

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of On the watch

on the watch popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 99% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

on the watch usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for on the watch

adj on the watch

all ears — If someone says that they are all ears, they mean that they are ready and eager to listen.

adverb on the watch

careful — If you are careful, you give serious attention to what you are doing, in order to avoid harm, damage, or mistakes. If you are careful to do something, you make sure that you do it.
cautious — Someone who is cautious acts very carefully in order to avoid possible danger.
defensive — You use defensive to describe things that are intended to protect someone or something.
guarded — cautious; careful; prudent: to be guarded in one's speech.
heedful — taking heed; attentive; mindful; thoughtful; careful: She was always heedful of others' needs.

adjective on the watch

glued — Simple past tense and past participle of glue.

All 10 Synonyms of on the watch