watchful

From Middle English waccheful, equivalent to watch +‎ -ful. Compare West Frisian waaks (“watchful”), Dutch waaks, waakzaam (“watchful”), German wachsam (“watchful”), Swedish vaksam (“watchful”).

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈwɒt͡ʃ.fəl/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈwɔt͡ʃ.fəl/
• Hyphenation: watch‧ful

• Audio (US)

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watchful (comparative more watchful, superlative most watchful)

1. Fully observant, vigilant, or aware.

   The teacher kept a watchful eye on her pupils during the school trip.

• watchfully
• watchfulness