Main Entry:

watch·ful

Pronunciation:

\ˈwäch-fəl, ˈwȯch-\

Function:

adjective

Date:

15th century

1archaic a: not able or accustomed to sleep or rest : wakeful b: causing sleeplessness c: spent in wakefulness : sleepless2: carefully observant or attentive : being on the watch

— watch·ful·ly \-fə-lē\ adverb

— watch·ful·ness noun

synonyms 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>.