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surveiller

to watch, to monitor

verb soor-veh-YEH Less Common
Body & Health Senses

Also means

to supervise

Usage Note

Surveiller covers both passive watching (keeping an eye on something) and active supervision. A surveillant is a school monitor or invigilator, and the noun surveillance — borrowed directly into English — comes from the same root. The phrase surveiller sa ligne ('watch one's figure') is a common idiomatic use.

Examples

"Elle surveille les enfants dans la cour."

Natural Translation

She watches the children in the yard.

Literal Translation

She watches the children in the yard

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