Definitions
01continuous action
A2 · Elementary
v. the form of 'watch' you use to describe an action happening now or over time.
v. the present participle of 'watch', used in progressive tenses to indicate ongoing observation.
“I was watching a movie when you called me last night.”
“While watching the documentary, the students took detailed notes on the migration patterns of the local bird population.”
Pitfall
I am watching to the television.
I am watching television.
The verb 'watch' is transitive and does not take the preposition 'to'.
Antonyms
02the act of observing
B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the activity of looking at something carefully, often for a specific purpose.
n. the act or practice of observing something, often used in compound nouns for specific hobbies or monitoring tasks.
“Bird watching is a very relaxing hobby to do in the park.”
“The constant watching of the stock market can be quite stressful for new investors who are not used to daily fluctuations.”
Synonyms
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/watching
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0