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Added 9 October 2026

watchful

/ˈwɒt͡ʃ.fəl/ adjective

In Latin: vigilax, evigilans Wiktionary

adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about watchful at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Fully observant, vigilant, or aware.
The teacher kept a watchful eye on her pupils during the school trip.

Origin

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

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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