ˈvɪdʒɪlənt ˈweɪkɪŋ 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 marked by full consciousness or alertness worked every moment of my waking hours (of sleep) easily disturbed in a light doze a light sleeper a restless wakeful night