watchfulwatch‧ful /ˈwɒtʃfəl $ ˈwɑːtʃ-, ˈwɒːtʃ-/ adjective 
The entrances are guarded by watchful security staff. His eyes were watchful. Keep a watchful eye on elderly residents.2under somebody’s watchful eye following someone’s instructions or with someone’s help: Learn the basics under the watchful eye of a qualified instructor.—watchfully adverb—watchfulness noun [uncountable]
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Alan became more watchful and uneasy as the evening went on.
- Bill was in the kitchen, keeping a watchful eye on the children as he prepared lunch.
- The fans left the ground quietly, under the watchful gaze of security cameras.
- To guarantee the safety of your children in the water, make sure that a watchful adult is on hand at all times.
- It was as if the Holy Spirit had taken his hands off and was standing back, observing, watchful.
- She felt absolutely helpless and extremely vulnerable standing completely unclothed under his watchful eyes.
- The restaurant was full of the usual noontime pack of watchful lobbyists and string-pullers.
- Then he saw the watchful, ruthless, dissatisfied eyes.
- There is a further constraint in that the Ministry of Defence will keep a watchful eye on any potential partner or owner.
- Up to now the police have played a passive role with the hippies, preferring to keep a watchful eye on them.
- We can see the soft expression in their eyes, caring and solicitous, watchful.
- Your watchful siblings are the editors perched on your lamp shade, magnifying glasses poised to catch your mistakes.
Longman Language Activatoralways watching to see what happens
someone who is alert is always watching, and notices if anything strange or unusual happens: · Passengers should try to stay alert at all times, and report any suspicious packages to the police immediately.· She owes her life to an alert farmer, who spotted her car in a ditch and called the emergency services.
to watch carefully because you think that something bad might happen: · We ask you all to be on the alert and to report anything suspicious immediately.be on the alert for: · Staff have been warned to be on the alert for bombs.
spoken say this to tell someone to keep watching carefully so that they will see something that they are hoping or expecting to see: · We might see a dolphin if we're lucky, so keep your eyes open.keep your eyes open/peeled for: · I always keep my eyes open for discounts and special offers.· Keep your eyes peeled for Robert - he should be here any minute.
to keep watching so that you will notice someone or something: · Look out for the old college buildings on your left.· We had to watch out for potholes in the road.
always watching to see what happens, either to make sure that nothing bad happens, or simply because you are interested: · The fans left the ground quietly, under the watchful gaze of security cameras.· Alan became more watchful and uneasy as the evening went on.keep a watchful eye on (=keep watching someone to make sure they do not get into trouble, hurt themselves etc): · Bill was in the kitchen, keeping a watchful eye on the children as he prepared lunch.
someone who is vigilant is always watching to see what happens, especially to see if anyone is doing anything wrong or illegal: · To combat thieves, it is important for staff to be vigilant at all times.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY His eyes were watchful. Keep a watchful eye on elderly residents.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN
His eyes were watchful. Keep a watchful eye on elderly residents.· Up to now the police have played a passive role with the hippies, preferring to keep a watchful eye on them.· Thwarted, he then embraced her stiffly before taking the baby in his arms under the watchful eye of his wife.· Self-assured as ever, Abdullah's watchful eyes moved warily, arrogantly.· Even in peace time, the government has always kept a watchful eye on U.S.· Although its voluntary recruits diminished, the order had managed to limp on for nearly two centuries under Ixmarity's watchful eye.· Fifi and Manuel steal off for some private time from the watchful eyes of the extended family.· And now, as dawn broke, Driver Oliver kept a watchful eye on the slowly lightening coastline.· She booked them for clubs, special appearances, and kept a watchful eye on the money, and soon, Holly.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- Although its voluntary recruits diminished, the order had managed to limp on for nearly two centuries under Ixmarity's watchful eye.
- Amelia learned stunting under his watchful eye, to become competent in the air no matter what the conditions.
- No such extravagance here, as under the watchful eye of Asquith, he launched into some of his best known songs.
- She felt absolutely helpless and extremely vulnerable standing completely unclothed under his watchful eyes.
- The second best is under the watchful eye or with the help of a relative.
- Thwarted, he then embraced her stiffly before taking the baby in his arms under the watchful eye of his wife.
- Today, the Reichardt duck farm is run under the watchful eye of Jim Reichardt, great grandson of the original founder.
- Voice over Back at the Young Telegraph, their final copy is put together under the watchful eye of a full-time reporter.
- He flashed his security pass under the eyes of the two armed guards posted beside the exit door.
- The hoopla also continued well into the night outside the casinos under the eyes of Las Vegas police and security guards.
- They act out roles and techniques under the watchful eye of their instructors.
- Thwarted, he then embraced her stiffly before taking the baby in his arms under the watchful eye of his wife.
- Today, the Reichardt duck farm is run under the watchful eye of Jim Reichardt, great grandson of the original founder.
- Voice over Back at the Young Telegraph, their final copy is put together under the watchful eye of a full-time reporter.
WORD FAMILYnounwatchwatcheradjectivewatchfulwatchableverbwatch
1very careful to notice what is happening, and to make sure that everything is all right: The entrances are guarded by watchful security staff. His eyes were watchful. Keep a watchful eye on elderly residents.2under somebody’s watchful eye following someone’s instructions or with someone’s help: Learn the basics under the watchful eye of a qualified instructor.—watchfully adverb—watchfulness noun [uncountable]