observe
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to see, watch, perceive, or notice.
He observed the passersby in the street.
- Antonyms:
- ignore
-
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
-
to watch, view, or note for a scientific, official, or other special purpose.
to observe an eclipse.
- Antonyms:
- ignore
-
to state by way of comment; remark.
He observed frequently that clerks were not as courteous as they used to be.
-
to keep or maintain in one's action, conduct, etc..
You must observe quiet.
-
to obey, comply with, or conform to.
to observe laws.
- Antonyms:
- ignore
-
to show regard for by some appropriate procedure, ceremony, etc..
to observe Palm Sunday.
- Antonyms:
- ignore
-
to perform duly or solemnize (ceremonies, rites, etc.).
- Antonyms:
- ignore
-
to note or inspect closely for an omen or sign of future events.
verb (used without object)
-
to notice.
-
to act as an observer.
-
to remark or comment (usually followed by on orupon ).
verb
-
(tr; may take a clause as object) to see; perceive; notice
we have observed that you steal
-
(when tr, may take a clause as object) to watch (something) carefully; pay attention to (something)
-
to make observations of (something), esp scientific ones
-
to make a comment or remark
the speaker observed that times had changed
-
(tr) to abide by, keep, or follow (a custom, tradition, law, holiday, etc)
Synonym Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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observablenessnoun
-
reobserveverb
-
nonobservingadjective
-
observableadjective
-
quasi-observedadjective
-
self-observedadjective
-
unobservedadjective
-
unobservingadjective
-
well-observedadjective
-
nonobservinglyadverb
-
observablyadverb
-
observedlyadverb
-
observinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
observesimple
-
observessimple
-
have observedperfect
-
has observedperfect
-
am observingprogressive
-
are observingprogressive
-
is observingprogressive
-
have been observingperfect progressive
-
has been observingperfect progressive
Past
-
observedsimple
-
had observedperfect
-
was observingprogressive
-
were observingprogressive
-
had been observingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of observe
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”
Explanation
Observe is often used to mean “remark” or “comment.” When trying to start up a conversation with an attractive stranger, you might observe that it’s raining outside (but hopefully you’ll come up with something more interesting to say). Observe has several secondary meanings, one of which is “notice” or “discover.” If you start a conversation with that attractive stranger, you’ll probably observe whether he or she seems interested in talking to you. Observe can also mean “watch carefully with great interest”; you might be tempted to observe the attractive stranger in this manner, but that might make him or her uncomfortable. Try to stay cool.
Vocabulary lists containing observe
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 5
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Memorial Day Words
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Sugar came to Earth as part of a group of “thousands,” mixing among humans incognito just to observe them, for benign alien reasons, like Starship Enterprise on its five-year mission.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2026
The most populous cities in 46 states observe Juneteenth as a paid day off, creating a split between state and city government calendars.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2026
It contains the body of a 34-year-old mother of four, whose father and brother-in-law quietly observe the process from a distance.
From BBC • Jun. 17, 2026
India suggested deleting any reference to "irreversible changes", added the bulletin, which tracks UN treaty negotiations and is permitted to observe talks not generally open to journalists or the public.
From Barron's • Jun. 17, 2026
She paused dramatically, to observe their silent, stricken faces.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
