watchful

[ woch-fuhl ]

adjective

1. vigilant or alert; closely observant:

   The sentry remained watchful throughout the night.

   Synonyms: wary, cautious, circumspect, careful, heedful, attentive

2. Archaic. wakeful.

watchful

/ ˈwɒtʃfʊl /

adjective

1. vigilant or alert
2. archaic.
   not sleeping

Derived Forms

• ˈwatchfully, adverb
• ˈwatchfulness, noun

Other Word Forms

• watchful·ly adverb
• watchful·ness noun
• self-watchful·ness noun
• un·watchful adjective
• un·watchful·ly adverb
• un·watchful·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of watchful¹

First recorded in 1540–50; watch + -ful

Synonym Study

See alert.

Example Sentences

Because Marple and Poirot are trademarked by a watchful Christie estate, there have been no new stories added to the originals; they are just adapted, again and again, sometimes faithfully, often very loosely.

From Los Angeles Times

Documents that, these days, are kept under the watchful eye of CCTV.

From BBC

She was always serious, watchful, with an eye on her party's and her own future.

From BBC

Performers from the Grande Rio samba school, which came a close second behind Beija-Flor, kept a watchful eye on the parade.

From BBC

Carvalho said district needs to be “watchful” as federal education decisions collide with state and local schooling authorities.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• attentive
• careful
• cautious
• observant
• suspicious
• vigilant
• wary