Watch Meaning and Definition
Watch
Pronunciation
/wɑtʃ/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A time-keeping device worn on the wrist or carried in a pocket, typically with hour and minute hands and a face showing the time.
Examples
- I checked the time on my watch and realized I was running late.
- She lost her watch and had to buy a new one.
Synonyms
- Timepiece
- Alarm clock
Antonyms
- Timeless
- Etymology
Etymology
The word “watch” has its roots in the Old English word “wæc” or “wæce”, meaning “to watch or wait”. This is related to the Proto-Germanic word “*wahtiz” and the Proto-Indo-European root “*weg-“, both of which carried the sense of vigilance or attention.
Additional Information
Watches have been used for thousands of years, with the earliest known examples dating back to ancient civilizations in Egypt, Greece, and Rome. In the modern era, watches are designed to be precise and accurate time-keeping devices, often featuring intricate mechanical or quartz mechanisms. Some watches are also equipped with additional features, such as alarm functions, chronographs, and GPS.
Usage Notes
In formal writing, it is common to refer to watches as “timepieces” or “chronometers”. When speaking, people often use the phrase “check the time” or “glance at my watch” to refer to the act of looking at the time on one’s wrist.
Cultural References
In popular culture, watches have been featured prominently in movies, TV shows, and literature, often symbolizing status, elegance, or power. Examples include the iconic Omega watch worn by James Bond, the grandfather clock from the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”, and the wristwatch worn by the character Steve Rogers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Watches are often used in idiomatic phrases, such as “don’t watch too much TV” or “I’m watching the clock until it’s time to leave”. These phrases evoke a sense of waiting or anticipation, often associated with the human desire to know exactly when something will happen.
Related Words or Phrases
Related words or phrases include “clock”, “timer”, “alarm”, and “hourglass”, all of which share the concept of time-keeping or measurement.
Collocations
Collocations include phrases such as “watch your back”, “watch out for”, and “at the watch”, all of which convey the idea of being attentive or vigilant.
Frequency of Use
According to the Oxford English Corpus, “watch” is one of the most commonly used verbs in the English language, ranking 16th among over 10,000 entries.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of “watch” include “watches”, “watchis”, and “wotch”, which all result from minor typos or misunderstandings of the word’s pronunciation.