watcher

[ woch-er ]

noun

1. a person who watches or who keeps watch.
2. an analytic observer of trends, fashions, events, celebrities, or the like:

   Fashion watchers will have noted that pleats have become popular again.

3. a professional or experienced observer and analyst of political and historic trends and events, countries, or the like:

   China watchers in the State Department predict a change in that country's trade policy.

4. poll watcher.

ˈwatcher

/ ˈwɒtʃə /

noun

1. a person who watches
2. a person who maintains a vigil at the bedside of an invalid
3. a representative of a candidate or party stationed at a poll on election day to watch out for fraud

Other Words From

• under·watcher noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of watcher¹

First recorded in 1500–10; watch + -er ¹

Example Sentences

The potential request drew skepticism from industry watchers.

From New York Times

Mr Flesher said he had been out to speak to some of the bird watchers and had met people from as far away as Glasgow.

From BBC

Sky watchers are looking forward to the next meteor shower, the Northern Taurids, which are set to peak on 11-12 November.

From BBC

But longtime California election watchers were more tempered about what the outcome of the ballot measures say about the state’s political leanings.

From Los Angeles Times

There had also been reports of partisan poll watchers using hidden cameras to film election workers; one Republican-affiliated poll watcher was also caught filming outside a polling station, in violation of state law.

From Salon

Related Words

• onlooker