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Definition of watchful

watchful

/ˈwɑːtʃ.fəl/
watch · ful
Adverb:watchfully
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watchful Lexical Profile

watchful Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Watching or observing someone or something closely; alert and vigilant to possible danger, difficulty, or opportunity.

Example

"The young children played safely in the park under the watchful eye of their grandmother."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for watchful

• Nearby Words

watchbox
watchdog
watcher
watchful
watchfully
watchfulness
watchlist

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Middle English from the noun 'watch' (from Old English 'wæcce', meaning a state of remaining awake or on guard) combined with the suffix '-ful'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Watchful. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/watchful
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