Watch out meaning
Watch out means to be careful, because something dangerous may happen (used as a warning). It can also mean to look carefully so that you notice something.
watch out
watch out · watched · watching
Watch out! There’s a car coming!
Watch out meanings and examples
2 meanings, each with its own CEFR level. A level marked ~ is our estimate: Oxford and Cambridge give none for that meaning.
-
1
Be careful, because something dangerous may happen (used as a warning)
watch out
- Watch out! There’s a car coming!
- Watch out, the floor is wet.
- You’ll burn yourself if you don’t watch out.
-
2
Look carefully so that you notice something
watch out something
- Watch out for pickpockets in the market.
- Can you watch out for the bus while I buy water?
- We watched out for the sign but missed the exit.
Café orders
New friends
At the airport
Slova
Use watch out in real conversations
- Learn new words with picture cards
- Talk with Felix, an AI tutor, about the things you love
- Short lessons at your level, a few minutes a day
Is watch out separable?
Watch out has no object. To name the danger or the thing you look for, add for: Watch out for ice on the road.
Watch out is often a short shout: Watch out! In writing or on signs, look out and beware are also used. Watch out for someone can also mean protect them.
Verb tenses for watch out
| Present | I watch out · she watches out |
|---|---|
| Past | watched out |
| Present perfect | have watched out |
| -ing form | watching out |
Common mistakes with watch out
What learners often say, and what to say instead.
Wrong: Watch out the dog! It bites.
Right: Watch out for the dog! It bites.
Add for before the danger.
Wrong: Watch out of the cars when you cross.
Right: Watch out for the cars when you cross.
The preposition is for, not of.
Wrong: She watched out the window all day.
Right: She looked out of the window all day.
Watch out is a warning. To see through a window, use look out of.
Synonyms and opposites of watch out
Words close to it, and words that mean the opposite.
Similar
- look outmeans the same as a warning: Look out!
- be carefulthe general advice to avoid danger
- keep an eye out forlook for something while doing other things
Opposite
- ignorepay no attention to something
- not looknot pay attention to what is around you
Watch out quiz
Three quick questions. Pick an answer to see if it is right and why.
-
1___! That step is broken.
Watch out is a warning about danger.
-
2Choose the right sentence.
Use watch out for before the danger.
-
3A guidebook says, “Watch out for fake taxis.” What should you do?
Watch out for means be careful to notice something.
Find your level
The phrasal verbs test adapts as you answer, from A2 to C1, and shows which ones you miss.
- get outA2leave a car, a room or a building
- take outA2remove something from a bag, a box, a pocket or a place
- put outB1stop a fire, a cigarette or a light from burning or shining
- go outA1leave your home to do something fun
- come outB1become available to buy, watch or read, like a book or film
- look outB1be careful, because something bad may happen
- give outB1give something to each of a number of people
- turn outB2happen or end in a particular way
Watch out FAQ
Questions people ask about watch out.
Watch out vs look out: what is the difference?
As a warning they mean the same: Watch out! Look out! Look out also has other meanings, like look out of a window.
Is watch out rude?
No. It is a quick warning to help someone. In a calm voice, you can also say Be careful.
What does watch out for someone mean?
It can mean be careful of a person, or protect them. My big sister always watches out for me.
Use watch out in real conversations
In Slova you learn new words with picture cards, then use them when you talk about the things you love. A few minutes a day, at your level.