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Glite Dictionary
watching

watching

1 1.0
Looking at something carefully for some time to notice changes
  • noun
  • /ˈwɑːtʃɪŋ/
translation icon : 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
211 3.0

The act of watching something to learn about it

is attentive over time rather than mainly aimed at collecting data
monitoring
vswatching
130 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
29 2.7

Watching carefully for danger or for something expected

is attentive generally and not focused only on danger signals
close watch
vswatching
11 2.3

Careful, constant watching of people or things to notice problems

is attentive over a period without necessarily being continuous
observance
vswatching
2 4.1

Giving careful, quiet attention to something

is carried out over time rather than being a single short act
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
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
looking
vswatching
1 1.0

The act of using your eyes to check something carefully

is less focused on sustained careful attention over time

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

clock-watching
  • Informal
1 4.1

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

fire watching
  • Archaic
8.8

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

How Closely

surveillance
  • Specialized
526 6.2
scrutiny
168 5.5
monitoring
130 3.2
watching
1 1.0
observation
  • Specialized
57 3.2
look
∞ 1.0
glance
222 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'.