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Glite Dictionary
watching

watching

221 1.0
Looking at something carefully for some time to notice changes
  • noun
  • /ˈwɑːtʃɪŋ/
: observación
  • Her watching the birds at the feeder brought her great joy.

Thank you so much for watching Fight THE Power.

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Examples

  • His watching the final game was an emotional experience.

  • The children's watching of the movie was filled with excitement.

  • I can see you watching in the night.

  • You know, Your Majesty, I was watching The Crown on Netflix.

  • My boyfriend won't stop watching his ex on TV.

  • I'm eating some Kalamyan and watching XO Kitty.

  • He said, I've been watching your show reel.

Synonyms

observation
vswatching
148 3.0

The act of watching something to learn about it

is attentive over time rather than mainly aimed at collecting data
monitoring
vswatching
123 3.2

Regular checking and recording of something to see how it changes

is attention over time without formal recording or control aims
lookout
vswatching
88 2.7

Watching carefully for danger or for something expected

is attentive generally and not focused only on danger signals
looking
vswatching
39 1.0

The act of using your eyes to check something carefully

is less focused on sustained careful attention over time
close watch
vswatching
13 2.3

Careful, constant watching of people or things to notice problems

is attentive over a period without necessarily being continuous
watchfulness
vswatching
2 4.2

Careful attention to danger or problems to keep people safe

is the active process of attending over time rather than a general state
observance
vswatching
1 4.1

Giving careful, quiet attention to something

is carried out over time rather than being a single short act
espial
vswatching
  • Archaic
1 9.9

To watch someone or something carefully, often in secret

is open attentive attention over time rather than secretive actions

Idioms

to dance like no one is watching
  • Informal
5.6

Move your body freely and confidently without worrying about other people

to dance like nobody is watching
  • Informal
5.8

Move your body freely and happily without worrying about being watched

as exciting as watching paint dry
  • Informal
8.6

Very boring and hard to pay attention to

Compounds

fire watching
  • Archaic
1 8.8

An activity of watching for and putting out small fires during a war

clock-watching
  • Informal
1 4.1

Looking at the time often because you want to stop work or go home

How Closely

surveillance
  • Specialized
628 6.2
scrutiny
187 5.5
monitoring
123 3.2
watching
221 1.0
observation
  • Specialized
132 3.2
look
∞ 1.0
glance
205 1.4

Surface Forms

watching singular
watchings plural

Morphology

watching = watch (transparent) = watch + ing

The word 'watching' is transparently derived from the verb 'watch' with the addition of the gerund suffix '-ing'.

Etymology

The word watching comes from an old English verb that meant 'to be awake', the same idea behind the English word wake. So watching is about staying alert and looking closely over time, which is why it means 'observing something carefully'.