What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Keyword vs Watchword - What's the difference?

keyword | watchword |

As nouns the difference between keyword and watchword

is that keyword is any word used as the key to a code while watchword is a prearranged reply to the challenge of a sentry or a guard; a password or signal by which friends can be known from enemies.

As a verb keyword

is to tag with keywords, as for example to facilitate searching.

keyword

Alternative forms

* *

Noun

(en noun)
  • Any word used as the key to a code.
  • (information science) Any word used in a reference work to link to other words or other information.
  • (programming) A reserved word used to identify a specific command, function etc.
  • * 1982 , Popular Computing (volume 1, issues 9-12, page 113)
  • Each function has an entry address which must be quoted after the USR keyword .
  • (linguistics) Any word that occurs in a text more often than normal.
  • Synonyms

    * (l)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To tag with keywords, as for example to facilitate searching.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2008, date=March 12, author=Philip Gefter, title=Type in ‘Native American’ and Search (Someday) 13 Million Photos, work=New York Times citation
  • , passage=Besides being able to search the photography collections, of which 3,000 images have been scanned in so far, the feature is meant to provide a more subjective and spontaneous way for visitors to view the art: browsing images, looking at them sequentially and keywording , or tagging, them for themselves and other viewers. }} ----

    watchword

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • a prearranged reply to the challenge of a sentry or a guard; a password or signal by which friends can be known from enemies
  • a word used as a motto, as expressive of a principle or rule of action; a maxim, byword
  • * 1919 , :
  • Atrocities of the most vicious kind were justified by the watchwords : "This is war!" "Might is Right." "Necessity knows no law."
  • a rallying cry
  • See also

    * passphrase * password

    References

    *