Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [woch-wurd]
- /ˈwɒtʃˌwɜrd/
- /ˈwɒtʃ.wɜːd/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [woch-wurd]
- /ˈwɒtʃˌwɜrd/
Definitions of watchword word
- noun watchword a word or short phrase to be communicated, on challenge, to a sentinel or guard; password or countersign. 1
- noun watchword a word or phrase expressive of a principle or rule of action; slogan: Conservation has been our watchword. 1
- noun watchword a rallying cry of a party, club, team, etc. 1
- noun watchword A word or phrase expressing a person‘s or group’s core aim or belief. 1
- noun watchword motto 1
- countable noun watchword Someone's watchword is a word or phrase that sums up their attitude or approach to a particular subject or to things in general. 0
Information block about the term
Origin of watchword
First appearance:
before 1350 One of the 20% oldest English words
Middle English word dating back to 1350-1400; See origin at watch, word
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Watchword
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
watchword popularity
A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 63% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
According to our data about 56% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.
watchword usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for watchword
noun watchword
- motto — a maxim adopted as an expression of the guiding principle of a person, organization, city, etc.
- slogan — a distinctive cry, phrase, or motto of any party, group, manufacturer, or person; catchword or catch phrase.
- maxim — Hiram Percy, 1869–1936, U.S. inventor.
- byword — Someone or something that is a byword for a particular quality is well known for having that quality.
- catch phrase — a phrase that attracts or is meant to attract attention.
Top questions with watchword
- what is a watchword?
- what does watchword mean?
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with w
- Words starting with wa
- Words starting with wat
- Words starting with watc
- Words starting with watch
- Words starting with watchw
- Words starting with watchwo
- Words starting with watchwor
- Words starting with watchword