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🇯🇵Japanese Source WordCode: JA

合言葉

Pronunciation / Transliteration: aikotoba

🇬🇧 Direct English Meaning:
Watchword/ˈwɒtʃ.wɜːd/
nounCEFR C1 (Advanced)Top #14500 frequency
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🇯🇵 Example Sentence in Japanese:

"安全第一が私たちの合言葉です。"

Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A word or phrase used as a password by guards or sentries to distinguish friends from enemies.

    "The sentinel demanded the watchword before allowing the soldiers to re-enter the camp."
  2. 2

    A guiding principle, motto, or catchphrase characteristic of a person, group, or philosophy.

    "Quality and innovation became the unwavering watchword of the company's new leadership."
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Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum

Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the Middle English words 'wacchen' (to watch) and 'word', originating in the 16th century as a military term for a secret word used as a password to pass sentries. Over time, the term evolved metaphorically to describe a guiding principle, slogan, or motto adopted by a group or movement.

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