observant

[ uhb-zur-vuhnt ]

adjective

1. quick to notice or perceive; alert:

   Watch for traffic and stay observant as you walk, not lost in thought.

   Synonyms: perceptive

   Antonyms: slow, dull

2. looking at, watching, or regarding attentively; watchful:

   Thousands of customers have been warned to be observant against a surge of scam letters claiming to be from the bank.

   Synonyms: aware, mindful, heedful, attentive

   Antonyms: heedless

3. 1. actively following or adhering to a particular religion:

      In Holland during the year surveyed, there were more observant Muslims than either observant Catholics or Protestants, but not all Christians combined.

   2. careful in following or adhering to a particular law, custom, religious ritual, or the like (often used with of or to ):

      He is well-versed in Jewish law, and observant of its commandments.

   Synonyms: obedient

noun

1. a person who follows or adheres to a particular law, custom, religion, etc.
2. Observant. Also Ob·ser·van·tine [] a member of a Franciscan order that follows the strict rule of St. Francis.

observant

/ əbˈzɜːvənt /

adjective

1. paying close attention to detail; watchful or heedful
2. adhering strictly to rituals, ceremonies, laws, etc

Derived Forms

• obˈservantly, adverb

Other Words From

• ob·serv·ant·ly adverb
• un·ob·serv·ant adjective
• un·ob·serv·ant·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of observant¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from French, present participle of observer “to notice, observe, watch”; observe

Example Sentences

Her brother Shlomo, 24, is preparing for law school, dipping a toe into dating and struggling over how observant he ultimately wants to be.

From Time

Changes are happening everywhere, and so we need them to be observant and not be distracted.

From Washington Post

Even a moderately observant UFO monitoring the United States would have noticed, in late March of 2020, that something was seriously amiss.

From Time

Frazes considers herself culturally Jewish but not particularly observant.

From Time

They realized that for the second year in a row, the pandemic would disrupt the usual gathering of families and friends for the seder, the ritual dinner in which observants re-tell the story of the Jewish exodus from Egypt.

From MIT Technology Review

The Turkish history of imposed Jacobin Secularism ended up creating virtual segregation against observant Muslims.

From The Daily Beast

Really quippy, relevant, observant, and, daresay, relatable dialogue.

From The Daily Beast

Kamala's character will struggle to exist in her observant Muslim family.

From The Daily Beast

I am a proud Israeli and a religiously observant Jew and a functional pacifist.

From The Daily Beast

Even in the most ridiculous moments, an observant, compassionate intelligence shines.

From The Daily Beast

This man does not appear at all put out by Mr. Arden's observant presence, nor even conscious of it.

From Project Gutenberg

Her youthful vanity had its way in a mind too speculative, intelligent, observant, merely to be shocked.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Pontellier, who was observant about such things, noticed it, as he served the soup and handed it to the boy in waiting.

From Project Gutenberg

Had she, so observant, so discerning in her fastidious taste—had she failed to notice the small detail too?

From Project Gutenberg

Whereupon the observant Seton saw a quick change take place in the girl's expression.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• attentive
• discerning
• discriminating
• intelligent
• mindful
• perceptive
• vigilant