watcher

noun

watch·​er ˈwä-chər 

ˈwȯ-

: one that watches: such as

a

: one that sits up or continues awake at night

b

: watchman

c(1)

: one that keeps watch beside a dead person

(2)

: one that attends a sick person at night

d

: a person who closely follows or observes someone or something

a Supreme Court watcher

—often used in combination

celebrity-watchers

e

: a representative of a party or candidate who is stationed at the polls on an election day to watch the conduct of officials and voters

Synonyms of watcher

• guardian
• custodian
• guard
• keeper
• warden
• sentinel
• watch
• observer

Examples of watcher in a Sentence

the inexperienced babysitter turned out to be a well-meaning but hopelessly incompetent watcher of young children

a safari that affords wildlife watchers plenty of opportunities to see Africa's grandest creatures in their natural habitat

Recent Examples on the Web

Though more commonly associated with their long migrations from Alaska to Hawaii or showing off for whale watchers off the coast of New England, a unique population of humpback whales call the Arabian Sea home. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 June 2026

Sharp-eyed royal watchers may have spotted a replica of the famed headpiece in the Downton Abbey film. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 19 June 2026

If the skies are clear, aurora watchers should look north, avoid bright lights, and use long-exposure settings on their phones or cameras. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

Parade watchers have also been throwing rolls of toilet paper and beach balls into the crowd. — Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 18 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing watcher

• bird-watcher
• clock-watcher
• fire watcher