Whatch vs. Watch — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on March 20, 2024
"Whatch" is an incorrect spelling, while "Watch" is the correct one referring to a timepiece or observing something. Ensure you use "Watch" in appropriate contexts.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Whatch or Watch
How to spell Watch?
Whatch
Incorrect Spelling
Watch
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Think of the action of "watching" a movie, where the focus is on observation without an extra 'h'.
Visualize a watch's face, and remember, there's no extra 'h' in time.
"Watch" rhymes with "match" and "catch," all with similar spellings.
Remember the word "wristwatch," as it's something you wear on your wrist, not "whristwhatch."
Consider the term "watch out!" – you wouldn't shout "whatch out!"
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How Do You Spell Watch Correctly?
Incorrect: Can you whatch my bag while I go to the bathroom?
Correct: Can you watch my bag while I go to the bathroom?
Incorrect: She doesn't like to whatch scary movies.
Correct: She doesn't like to watch scary movies.
Incorrect: Let's whatch a movie tonight.
Correct: Let's watch a movie tonight.
Incorrect: I can't wait to whatch the game this weekend.
Correct: I can't wait to watch the game this weekend.
Incorrect: Do you want to whatch the sunset with me?
Correct: Do you want to watch the sunset with me?
Watch Definitions
A small timepiece typically worn on the wrist
She checked her watch to see the time.
An act or instance of watching
She kept a close watch on the boiling pot.
To observe attentively or carefully
He likes to watch birds in his backyard.
A period of vigil or alertness
The soldier was on the night watch.
To be cautious or wary of
Watch what you say around them.
A watch is a portable timepiece intended to be carried or worn by a person. It is designed to keep a consistent movement despite the motions caused by the person's activities.
Look at or observe attentively over a period of time
As she watched, two women came into the garden
Lucy watched him go
Everyone stopped to watch what was going on
Exercise care, caution, or restraint about
You should watch what you say!
Most women watch their diet during pregnancy
Remain awake for the purpose of religious observance
She watched whole nights in the church
A small timepiece worn typically on a strap on one's wrist
My watch had stopped
An act or instance of carefully observing someone or something over a period of time
The security forces have been keeping a close watch on our activities
A film or programme considered in terms of its appeal to the public
This movie's an engrossing watch
A flock of nightingales
A watch of nightingales began flying south
To look or observe attentively or carefully; be closely observant
Watching for trail markers.
To look and wait expectantly or in anticipation
Watch for an opportunity.
To act as a spectator; look on
Stood by the road and watched.
To stay awake at night while serving as a guard, sentinel, or watcher.
To stay alert as a devotional or religious exercise; keep vigil.
To look at steadily; observe carefully or continuously
Watch a parade.
To guard, keep surveillance on, or spy on
Watched the prisoner all day.
Watched the house to see who came and went.
To observe the course of mentally; keep up on or informed about
Watch the price of gold.
To pay close attention to or be careful about, especially with regard to propriety
Watched his manners.
To tend or take care of (children or a flock of sheep, for example).
A portable or wearable timepiece.
More people today carry a watch on their wrists than in their pockets.
The act of guarding and observing someone or something.
A particular time period when guarding is kept.
The second watch of the night began at midnight.
A period of wakefulness between the two sleeps of a biphasic sleep pattern (the dead sleep or first sleep and morning sleep or second sleep): the first waking.
A person or group of people who guard.
The watch stopped the travelers at the city gates.
The post or office of a watchman; also, the place where a watchman is posted, or where a guard is kept.
(nautical) A group of sailors and officers aboard a ship or shore station with a common period of duty: starboard watch, port watch.
(nautical) A period of time on duty, usually four hours in length; the officers and crew who tend the working of a vessel during the same watch. (FM 55–501).
The act of seeing, or viewing, for a period of time.
(ambitransitive) To look at, see, or view for a period of time.
Watching the clock will not make time go faster.
I'm tired of watching TV.
(transitive) To observe over a period of time; to notice or pay attention.
Watch this!
Put a little baking soda in some vinegar and watch what happens.
(transitive) To mind, attend, or guard.
Please watch my suitcase for a minute.
He has to watch the kids that afternoon.
(transitive) To be wary or cautious of.
You should watch that guy. He has a reputation for lying.
(transitive) To attend to dangers to or regarding.
Watch your head; watch your step
Watch yourself when you talk to him.
Watch what you say.
(intransitive) To remain awake with a sick or dying person; to maintain a vigil. en
(intransitive) To be vigilant or on one's guard.
For some must watch, while some must sleep: So runs the world away.
(intransitive) To act as a lookout.
To serve the purpose of a watchman by floating properly in its place.
To be awake.
To be on the lookout for; to wait for expectantly.
The act of watching; forbearance of sleep; vigil; wakeful, vigilant, or constantly observant attention; close observation; guard; preservative or preventive vigilance; formerly, a watching or guarding by night.
Shepherds keeping watch by night.
All the long night their mournful watch they keep.
Still, when she slept, he kept both watch and ward.
Ward, guard, or custodia, is chiefly applied to the daytime, in order to apprehend rioters, and robbers on the highway . . . Watch, is properly applicable to the night only, . . . and it begins when ward ends, and ends when that begins.
One who watches, or those who watch; a watchman, or a body of watchmen; a sentry; a guard.
Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch; go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
The period of the night during which a person does duty as a sentinel, or guard; the time from the placing of a sentinel till his relief; hence, a division of the night.
I did stand my watch upon the hill.
Might we but hear . . . Or whistle from the lodge, or village cockCount the night watches to his feathery dames.
A small timepiece, or chronometer, to be carried about the person, the machinery of which is moved by a spring.
An allotted portion of time, usually four hour for standing watch, or being on deck ready for duty. Cf. Dogwatch.
To be awake; to be or continue without sleep; to wake; to keep vigil.
I have two nights watched with you.
Couldest thou not watch one hour ?
To be attentive or vigilant; to give heed; to be on the lookout; to keep guard; to act as sentinel.
Take ye heed, watch and pray.
The Son gave signal highTo the bright minister that watched.
To be expectant; to look with expectation; to wait; to seek opportunity.
My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning.
To remain awake with any one as nurse or attendant; to attend on the sick during the night; as, to watch with a man in a fever.
To serve the purpose of a watchman by floating properly in its place; - said of a buoy.
To give heed to; to observe the actions or motions of, for any purpose; to keep in view; not to lose from sight and observation; as, to watch the progress of a bill in the legislature.
Saul also sent messengers unto David's house to watch him, and to slay him.
I must cool a little, and watch my opportunity.
In lazy mood I watched the little circles die.
To tend; to guard; to have in keeping.
And flaming ministers, to watch and tendTheir earthy charge.
Paris watched the flocks in the groves of Ida.
A small portable timepiece
A period of time (4 or 2 hours) during which some of a ship's crew are on duty
A purposeful surveillance to guard or observe
The period during which someone (especially a guard) is on duty
A person employed to watch for something to happen
A devotional watch (especially on the eve of a religious festival)
Look attentively;
Watch a basketball game
Follow with the eyes or the mind;
Keep an eye on the baby, please!
The world is watching Sarajevo
She followed the men with the binoculars
See or watch;
View a show on television
This program will be seen all over the world
View an exhibition
Catch a show on Broadway
See a movie
Observe with attention;
They watched as the murderer was executed
Be vigilant, be on the lookout, be on one's guard, be careful;
Watch out for pickpockets!
Observe or determine by looking;
Watch how the dog chases the cats away
Find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort;
Watch Meaning in a Sentence
They watch out for each other in tough times.
Can we watch a comedy instead of a drama?
I watch the stars at night and wonder about the universe.
We can watch the fireworks from the balcony.
My cat loves to watch the rain from the window.
Can you watch my dog while I'm on vacation?
Let's watch the parade from this corner; we'll see everything here.
I'll watch over the cookies to make sure they don't burn.
Let's watch the sunrise together tomorrow morning.
I'll watch your back while you fix the car.
They like to watch old movies on rainy days.
Watch this magic trick and tell me how you think it's done.
Can you watch out for cars while I back out of the driveway?
She was too nervous to watch the final moments of the game.
They watch for the mailman every day, hoping for good news.
I love to watch documentaries about nature.
Watch Idioms & Phrases
Watch this space
Pay attention to this situation because it is expected to develop in an interesting way.
We've got some exciting plans for the business—watch this space!
Watch the clock
To frequently check the time, usually because you are eager for something to end.
On Fridays, everyone seems to watch the clock, waiting for the weekend to start.
Watch your back
Be cautious of betrayal or danger from others.
In that competitive environment, you always need to watch your back.
Watch your mouth
Be careful about what you say.
You'd better watch your mouth around your grandparents.
Watch the world go by
To observe life and the passage of time without getting involved.
On vacation, I like to sit at a café and watch the world go by.
Watch like a hawk
To observe someone or something very closely.
She watches her students like a hawk during exams.
Watch one's tongue
To be careful about what one says to avoid causing offense or revealing secrets.
You should watch your tongue in front of the boss.
Watch your step
Be careful where you walk or be cautious in your actions.
Watch your step; the floor is slippery.
On watch
Serving as a lookout or guard.
During the night, two soldiers are always on watch.
Keep watch
To guard or monitor.
We'll keep watch outside while you go in and get help.
Night watch
A guard duty during the night.
He's on night watch, ensuring the campsite remains safe.
Watch your six
Be aware of what is happening behind you, originally from a pilot's six o'clock position.
Always watch your six when you're in unfamiliar territory.
Watch the pennies
To be careful with money, paying attention even to small amounts.
If you watch the pennies, the dollars will take care of themselves.
Watch over someone
To protect or guard someone.
Can you watch over my kids while I run to the store?
Under watch
Being closely observed, especially by authorities.
The suspect is under watch by the police.
Watch out!
Be alert or aware of danger.
Watch out! There's a car coming!
Watch and learn
Observe carefully to gain knowledge or skill.
Just watch and learn how I fix this, and you'll be able to do it yourself next time.
Watch from the sidelines
To observe an event or situation without getting directly involved.
I prefer to watch from the sidelines rather than participate in the debate.
Common Curiosities
What is the pronunciation of Watch?
It is pronounced as /wɒtʃ/ (similar to "wotch").
Why is it called Watch?
The term "watch" originates from Old English 'wæcce', meaning 'a watching.' It was used to denote the act of staying awake to guard or pray.
Which vowel is used before Watch?
Typically, the vowel "a" is used before "watch" in a word or phrase.
Which conjunction is used with Watch?
No specific conjunction is inherently tied to "watch." Any can be used based on the sentence structure.
What is the verb form of Watch?
The verb form is "watch" (as in "I watch TV").
What is the plural form of Watch?
The plural form is "watches."
Which preposition is used with Watch?
Various prepositions can be used with "watch" depending on context, such as "on" (on watch), "for" (watch for signs), "over" (watch over someone).
Is Watch a negative or positive word?
"Watch" is neutral. Its connotation depends on the context.
What is the root word of Watch?
The root word is the Old English 'wæcce'.
What is the singular form of Watch?
The singular form is "watch."
Is the Watch term a metaphor?
It can be used metaphorically, as in "keep watch" meaning to stay alert or vigilant.
Is Watch a vowel or consonant?
"Watch" is a word composed of both vowels and consonants.
Is the word Watch is imperative?
It can be used in the imperative form, as in "Watch out!"
Is the word Watch is Gerund?
"Watching" is the gerund form of the verb "watch."
How do we divide Watch into syllables?
"Watch" has one syllable and is not divided.
What is a stressed syllable in Watch?
The entire word "watch" is stressed as it has only one syllable.
Which article is used with Watch?
Either "a" or "the" can be used, depending on context ("a watch" or "the watch").
Is Watch a noun or adjective?
"Watch" can be both a noun (as in a timepiece) and a verb (as in observing). It's not typically used as an adjective.
Is Watch a countable noun?
Yes, when referring to the timepiece (e.g., two watches).
Is Watch a collective noun?
No, "watch" is not a collective noun.
Is the word “Watch” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Watch" can serve as a direct object (I lost my watch.) but typically isn't used as an indirect object.
What is another term for Watch?
Another term for "watch" (timepiece) is "timepiece" or "wristwatch." For "watch" (observe), it's "observe" or "look at."
How many syllables are in Watch?
There is one syllable in "watch."
What is the opposite of Watch?
For the verb, an opposite might be "ignore." For the noun (timepiece), there isn't a direct opposite.
What is the second form of Watch?
The second form (past simple) is "watched."
What is the third form of Watch?
The third form (past participle) is "watched."
How is Watch used in a sentence?
"I always wear my watch on my left wrist."
Is Watch an adverb?
No, "watch" is not an adverb.
Is Watch an abstract noun?
No, it's a concrete noun when referring to the timepiece and an action verb when referring to the act of observing.
What part of speech is Watch?
"Watch" can be a noun or a verb.
Which determiner is used with Watch?
Determiners like "my," "a," "the," "this," and "that" can be used with "watch."
What is the first form of Watch?
The first form (base form) of the verb is "watch."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
