observant

[ uhb-zur-vuhnt ]
See synonyms for observant on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. quick to notice or perceive; alert: Watch for traffic and stay observant as you walk, not lost in thought.

  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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

noun
  1. a person who follows or adheres to a particular law, custom, religion, etc.

  2. Observant. Also Ob·ser·van·tine [ob-zur-vuhn-tin, -teen]. /ɒbˈzɜr vən tɪn, -ˌtin/. a member of a Franciscan order that follows the strict rule of St. Francis.

Origin of observant

1
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from French, present participle of observer “to notice, observe, watch”; see observe

Other words for observant

Opposites for observant

Other words from observant

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

Words Nearby observant

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use observant in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for observant

observant

/ (əbˈzɜːvənt) /


adjective
  1. paying close attention to detail; watchful or heedful

  2. adhering strictly to rituals, ceremonies, laws, etc

Derived forms of observant

  • observantly, adverb

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