observe

[uhb-zurv]

verb (used with object)

observed, observing 

1. to see, watch, perceive, or notice.

   He observed the passersby in the street.

   Antonyms: ignore

2. to regard with attention, especially so as to see or learn something.

   I want you to observe her reaction to the judge's question.

   Synonyms: note
   Antonyms: ignore

3. to watch, view, or note for a scientific, official, or other special purpose.

   to observe an eclipse.

   Antonyms: ignore

4. to state by way of comment; remark.

   He observed frequently that clerks were not as courteous as they used to be.

   Synonyms: say, mention

5. to keep or maintain in one's action, conduct, etc..

   You must observe quiet.

6. to obey, comply with, or conform to.

   to observe laws.

   Synonyms: fulfill, follow
   Antonyms: ignore

7. to show regard for by some appropriate procedure, ceremony, etc..

   to observe Palm Sunday.

   Synonyms: keep, celebrate
   Antonyms: ignore

8. to perform duly or solemnize (ceremonies, rites, etc.).

   Antonyms: ignore

9. to note or inspect closely for an omen or sign of future events.

verb (used without object)

observed, observing 

1. to notice.

2. to act as an observer.

3. to remark or comment (usually followed by on orupon ).

observe

/ əbˈzɜːv /

verb

1. (tr; may take a clause as object) to see; perceive; notice

   we have observed that you steal

2. (when tr, may take a clause as object) to watch (something) carefully; pay attention to (something)

3. to make observations of (something), esp scientific ones

4. to make a comment or remark

   the speaker observed that times had changed

5. (tr) to abide by, keep, or follow (a custom, tradition, law, holiday, etc)

Other Word Forms

• observably adverb
• observable adjective
• observableness noun
• observedly adverb
• observingly adverb
• nonobserving adjective
• nonobservingly adverb
• preobserve verb (used with object)
• quasi-observed adjective
• reobserve verb
• self-observed adjective
• unobserved adjective
• unobserving adjective
• well-observed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of observe¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English observen, from Middle French observer, from Latin observāre “to watch, regard, attend to,” equivalent to ob- ob- + servāre “to keep, save, pay heed to”

Word History and Origins

Origin of observe¹

C14: via Old French from Latin observāre, from ob- to + servāre to watch

Synonym Study

Observe, witness imply paying strict attention to what one sees or perceives. Both are “continuative” in action. To observe is to mark or be attentive to something seen, heard, etc.; to consider carefully; to watch steadily: to observe the behavior of birds, a person's pronunciation. To witness, formerly to be present when something was happening, has added the idea of having observed with sufficient care to be able to give an account as evidence: to witness an accident.

Example Sentences

It wasn't sent from someone just observing, it was from someone that clearly knows you.

Read more on BBC

It's a simple cardboard cut-out, that people are encouraged to hold for 10 minutes to observe a small patch of sky, to help lift their mood.

Read more on BBC

Thai royal family members will also observe a year of mourning.

Read more on BBC

One, after making a new group of friends who never accepted me, advised me to try not to be “scary” and “intimidating” when I observed that I didn’t find these people to be welcoming.

Read more on Salon

By comparing people with and without these cholesterol-lowering genetic variants, the researchers observed a clear difference in dementia risk.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• detect 
• discover 
• examine 
• inspect 
• look at www.thesaurus.com
• mark 
• monitor 
• note 
• pay attention to www.thesaurus.com
• recognize 
• regard 
• scrutinize 
• study 
• view 
• watch 
• witness