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watch

watch

637 1.0
A small thing worn on the wrist to tell the time
  • noun
  • /wɑtʃ/
translation icon : reloj
  • In the course of several weeks, he visited shops that sell watches, finally finding a dealer he trusted.
  • look at his watch
  • pocket watch
  • gold watch

Graham gave me the watch, but it's not real.

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Examples

Synonyms

wristwatch
vswatch
22 1.0

A small watch you wear on your wrist

is broader covering both wrist wear and pocket carrying
timepiece
vswatch
17 4.5

A thing like a clock or watch that shows the time

is more specific as a small portable device worn or carried
pocket watch
vswatch
  • Archaic
12 3.5

A small watch carried in a pocket and often connected to a chain

is the general portable time device not limited to pocket carrying
chronograph
vswatch
  • Specialized
4 8.2

A watch that measures short periods of time accurately, for example during races

is for general time telling rather than precise interval measurement
smartwatch
vswatch
2 3.4

A watch that connects to your phone and tracks health and messages

is mainly for telling time rather than adding digital features
ticker
vswatch
  • Archaic
1 6.8

A small watch that you carry in a pocket or wear on your wrist

is the neutral term used instead of the informal label

Idioms

Be careful when you move and act to avoid danger and trouble

25 6.1

The time when I am in charge of something

To avoid saying rude or offensive words when you speak

Look at a person or thing very carefully for a while to notice problems

watch your ass
  • Offensive
6 9.9

Be very careful because you could get into trouble

Look out for each other in dangerous situations

During the time someone is responsible for what happens

3 7.8

To do something very boring and slow

2 4.6

To spend time looking at people and things happening around you without taking part

To arrive so regularly that people can tell the time by your arrival

1 7.5

Be careful what you say to avoid offending someone

Expect more news or updates soon

A humorous saying men use to remember important things before leaving the house

To look at the sky as the sun comes up

worth the watch
  • Informal
3.2

Good enough that you should see it

Compounds

pocket watch
  • Archaic
12 3.5

A small watch carried in a pocket and often connected to a chain

11 2.3

Careful, constant watching of people or things to notice problems

4 4.7

A time when people guard a place at night

A watch that shows the time as numbers on a screen

1 4.5

A close-fitting knitted hat worn in cold weather, often by sailors

1 3.7

A team of workers who work during the day, usually from 8 am to 4 pm

watch chain
  • Archaic
1 2.8

A short chain or ribbon that holds a pocket watch on a vest

1 3.2

A watch with moving hands on a face with numbers that shows the time

1 3.9

A metal or plastic cover for a watch that protects its inner parts

A clear cover that protects the face of a watch

binge-watch
  • Texting
3.5

A long session of watching many TV episodes in one sitting

8.5

Keeping a radio on all the time to listen for important messages

listening watch
  • Specialized
7.6

A time when someone keeps listening on a radio for important messages

middle watch
  • Specialized
9.5

The time on a ship from midnight to four in the morning when crew are on duty

7.4

A late-night work shift from midnight to early morning on ships or in factories

A small pocket clock with a hinged metal lid that protects the glass

pendulum watch
  • Archaic
9.9

A small watch from the 1700s with a fake swinging pendulum under glass

A band of metal or leather that attaches a watch to your wrist

watch glass
  • Specialized
5.5

A shallow round glass dish used in labs to let liquids dry or to cover a beaker

A clear protective cover over the face of a watch

watch guard
  • Archaic
6.7

A short chain or ribbon that clips a pocket watch to clothing

watch fire
  • Archaic
8.2

A fire kept burning at night to signal people far away

watch key
  • Archaic
9.0

A small metal key with a square hole used to wind old pocket devices that tell time

watch pocket
  • Archaic
5.1

A small space in a vest for keeping a watch you carry

A religious evening service on New Year's Eve for prayer and reflection

How Complex

smartwatch
2 3.4
chronograph
  • Specialized
4 8.2
watch
637 1.0
timepiece
17 4.5

Surface Forms

watch singular
watches plural

Etymology

Watch The word watch for a small timepiece comes from an old English word wæccan meaning 'to be awake', the same root as wake. That's why a small clock used by people on duty came to be called a 'watch'.