watchful

watchful
adjective Date: 15th century 1. archaic a. not able or accustomed to sleep or rest ; wakeful b. causing sleeplessness c. spent in wakefulness ; sleepless 2. carefully observant or attentive ; being on the watch • watchfully adverbwatchfulness 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
>
.

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • Watchful — Watch ful, a. Full of watch; vigilant; attentive; careful to observe closely; observant; cautious; with of before the thing to be regulated or guarded; as, to be watchful of one s behavior; and with against before the thing to be avoided; as, to… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • watchful — watchful, vigilant, wide awake, alert are comparable when they mean on the lookout especially for danger or for opportunities. Watchful is the general word {the five watchful senses Milton} {became almost remote, strangely watchful, looking back… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • watchful — [wächfəl, wôchfəl] adj. 1. watching closely; vigilant; alert 2. characterized by vigilance 3. Archaic wakeful; unsleeping watchfully adv. watchfulness n. SYN. WATCHFUL is the general word implying a being observant and prepared, as to ward off… …   English World dictionary

  • watchful — index alert (vigilant), careful, circumspect, conscious (aware), diligent, discreet, guarded …   Law dictionary

  • watchful — (adj.) c.1500, waccheful, from WATCH (Cf. watch) (v.) + FUL (Cf. ful). Related: Watchfulness …   Etymology dictionary

  • watchful — [adj] on the lookout alert, all ears*, attentive, careful, cautious, chary, circumspect, glued*, guarded, heedful, hooked*, keen, not missing a trick*, observant, on guard, on one’s toes*, on the ball*, on the job*, on the qui vive, on the watch …   New thesaurus

  • watchful — ► ADJECTIVE 1) alert and vigilant. 2) archaic wakeful. DERIVATIVES watchfully adverb watchfulness noun …   English terms dictionary

  • watchful — [[t]wɒ̱tʃfʊl[/t]] 1) ADJ GRADED Someone who is watchful notices everything that is happening. The best thing is to be watchful and see the family doctor for any change in your normal health... He looked tall and powerful and, with his dark,… …   English dictionary

  • watchful — watch|ful [ˈwɔtʃfəl US ˈwa:tʃ , ˈwo:tʃ ] adj 1.) very 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… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Watchful — Infobox Album Name = Watchful Type = studio Longtype = Artist = Amoeba Released = 1997 Recorded = 1994 1995 Genre = Art rock Length = 48:35 Label = Lektronic Soundscapes Producer = Robert Rich Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|4|5… …   Wikipedia

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