watchful
gb/wˈɔt͡ʃfəl/ us/wˈɔt͡ʃfəl/
B2
English
~ 7300
éber, vigyázó, szemmel tartó
B2
1
éber
B1
Usage pattern:
be watchful for [something]
Security guards remained watchful throughout the night.
A biztonsági őrök egész éjszaka éberek maradtak.
Drivers need to be especially watchful in bad weather.
Rossz időben a sofőröknek különösen ébernek kell lenniük.
The team was watchful for any signs that the system was failing.
Investors are becoming more watchful as the market grows unstable.
Hikers must stay watchful for sudden changes in the weather.
Learner examples
The dog is watchful when strangers come to the door.
A kutya éber, ha idegenek jönnek az ajtóhoz.
You should be watchful for cars when you cross the street.
Oda kell figyelned az autókra, amikor átmész az utcán.
Police were watchful during the big game.
Teachers are watchful during the exam.
Be watchful for any smoke from the kitchen.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *watchful* like a verb (e.g., *He watchful the children*). Remember that *watchful* is an adjective, so it is usually used after *be* or before a noun (e.g., *He is watchful*, *a watchful guard*). It also describes observing the surroundings, not being careful about your own actions; for that, *careful* is often better.
Meaning
alert and paying close attention
Collocations
watchful eye
|remain watchful
|stay watchful
|ever watchful
|keep a watchful eye
Synonyms
vigilant (slightly more formal; strongly focused on possible danger or attack)
|
alert (very close in meaning; can also emphasize being mentally quick)
|
attentive (focuses on careful attention in general, not only to danger)
Antonyms
careless (not paying enough attention, especially so that mistakes or accidents can happen)
|
unaware (not knowing or not noticing what is happening around you)
Themes
safety
|work
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
always looking and listening carefully so you can see danger, problems, or changes early
Alert and paying close attention, especially in order to notice possible danger, problems, or changes.
B2
2
vigyázó
B1
Usage pattern:
a watchful [person/parent/guard]
The children played in the yard under their grandfather’s watchful eye.
A gyerekek a nagyapjuk vigyázó szeme előtt játszottak az udvaron.
A watchful parent stood near the pool while the kids swam.
Miközben a gyerekek úsztak, egy rájuk vigyázó szülő állt a medence mellett.
The prisoners felt the watchful gaze of the guard on them at all times.
Under the watchful supervision of her mentor, she learned quickly.
The coach remained watchful on the sidelines, ready to step in if needed.
Learner examples
Her watchful mother stayed near the playground.
Az édesanyja a játszótér közelében maradt, és végig szemmel tartotta.
A watchful guard stood at the door.
Az ajtónál egy figyelő őr állt.
The baby slept under her father’s watchful eye.
The watchful teacher saw the student use a phone.
Our cat is very watchful when the baby crawls.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse *watchful* with *watched*. *Watchful* describes the person who is doing the watching (e.g., *a watchful teacher*), while *watched* usually describes the person or thing that is being looked at (e.g., *a watched child*).
Meaning
closely watching to protect
Collocations
watchful parent
|watchful mother
|watchful guard
|watchful teacher
|watchful gaze
Synonyms
protective (focuses on wanting to keep someone safe, not always on active watching)
|
observant (emphasizes noticing details; less about care or control)
Antonyms
neglectful (fails to give enough attention or care, especially to someone who needs it)
Themes
family
|safety
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
looking at someone or something all the time to keep them safe or to control what they do
Closely and continuously observing a person, group, or activity, often in order to protect, guide, or control them.
Grammar
Dictionary form
watchful
IPA
GB/wˈɔt͡ʃfəl/
US/wˈɔt͡ʃfəl/
Syllables & stress
watch - ful (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (watch)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: watchful
Word family
Expressions
ever watchful
1/ˈɛvɚ wˈɔt͡ʃfəl/
fixed phrase
literary
always alert and watchful
always watching carefully and ready to see danger or problems
Examples
- The ever watchful guard paced along the wall.
- She walked through the dark street, her eyes ever watchful.
- The dog, ever watchful, sat by the front door.
keep a watchful eye on
1/kˈip ə wˈɔt͡ʃfəl ˈaɪ ˈɔn/
fixed phrase
carefully monitor someone or something
to look at someone or something often and carefully so you can quickly see any problem or change
Examples
- The nurse will keep a watchful eye on you after the operation.
- Parents should keep a watchful eye on children near water.
- He kept a watchful eye on the budget during the project.
remain watchful
1/ɹɪmˈeɪn wˈɔt͡ʃfəl/
fixed phrase
continue to stay alert
to keep being alert and careful, especially about danger or problems
Examples
- Doctors warn people to remain watchful for new symptoms.
- Residents were told to remain watchful as the storm approached.
- Even after the threat passed, the authorities remained watchful.
under the watchful eye of
1/ˈʌndɚ ðə wˈɔt͡ʃfəl ˈaɪ əv/
fixed phrase
being closely supervised
being carefully watched and supervised by someone
Examples
- The trainees worked under the watchful eye of an experienced engineer.
- The children baked cookies under the watchful eye of their grandmother.
- New employees start under the watchful eye of a mentor.