# watched

/ˈwɑtʃt/ (US) · /wˈɒtʃt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/watched
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. looked at for a time

verb · CEFR A1

looked at someone or something for a period of time to see what happened.

For teachers: the past tense of 'watch', indicating the act of observing a person, object, or event over a duration.

- We watched a movie together last night and then went for a walk.
- The researchers watched the subjects closely throughout the experiment to ensure every behavioral shift was documented in real time.

### 2. monitored

adjective · CEFR B2

being looked at or followed closely, often for safety or control.

For teachers: subject to observation or surveillance; often used to describe individuals or digital activities under scrutiny.

- The security guard kept an eye on the watched entrance all night.
- In the digital age, a watched account is often subject to automated flags if any suspicious activity is detected by the system's algorithm.

### 3. guarded or looked after

verb · CEFR A2

took care of something or someone to make sure they were safe.

For teachers: the past tense of 'watch' in the sense of exercising care, caution, or protective surveillance over a person or property.

- She watched her sister's children while their parents were at work.
- The shepherd watched the flock throughout the night, remaining vigilant against any predators that might approach from the forest edge.

## Examples

- We watched a movie together last night.
- The security guard watched the monitors closely for any signs of movement in the hallway.
- As the sun dipped below the horizon, the researchers watched the rare birds return to their nests, documenting every movement for their final report.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.