ˈvɪdʒɪlənt ˈwɒt͡ʃ.fəl ˈwɔt͡ʃ.fəl carefully observant or attentive; on the lookout for possible danger a policy of open-eyed awareness the vigilant eye of the town watch there was a watchful dignity in the room a watchful parent with a toddler in tow