watchful

adjective watch·ful \ˈwäch-fəl, ˈwȯch-\

: always watching the actions of someone or something : paying careful attention to someone or something

Full Definition of WATCHFUL

archaic

a : not able or accustomed to sleep or rest : wakeful

b : causing sleeplessness

c : spent in wakefulness : sleepless

: carefully observant or attentive : being on the watch

— watch·ful·ly \-fə-lē\ adverb

— watch·ful·ness noun

See watchful defined for English-language learners

See watchful defined for kids

First Known Use of WATCHFUL

15th century

Related to WATCHFUL

Synonyms: Argus-eyed, attentive, awake, observant, open-eyed, tenty (also tentie) [Scottish], vigilant, alert, wide-awake

Antonyms: asleep

Synonym Discussion of WATCHFUL

watchful, vigilant, wide-awake, alert mean being on the lookout especially for danger or opportunity. watchful is the least explicit term <the watchful eye of the department supervisor>. vigilant suggests intense, unremitting, wary watchfulness <eternally vigilant in the safeguarding of democracy>. wide-awake applies to watchfulness for opportunities and developments more often than dangers <wide-awake companies latched onto the new technology>. alert stresses readiness or promptness in meeting danger or in seizing opportunity <alert traders anticipated the stock market's slide>.

WATCHFUL Defined for Kids