observant

American  

[uhb-zur-vuhnt] / əbˈzɜr vənt /

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 orto ).

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

   Synonyms:

   obedient

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noun

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

2. Observant. Also Observantine a member of a Franciscan order that follows the strict rule of St. Francis.

observant British  

/ əbˈzɜːvənt /

adjective

1. paying close attention to detail; watchful or heedful

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

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Other Word Forms

• observantly
  adverb
• unobservant
  adjective
• unobservantly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of observant

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

Explanation

If you're observant, you’re paying close attention to the details. If you're really observant, you would notice the little blob of mustard on your boss's jacket and brush it off for him before he goes to his business dinner. Your mother may be so observant that she notices every bit of dust you miss when you vacuum. But if you're so observant that you notice every coin on the sidewalk, you might soon have enough money saved to buy your mom a robo-vac. Observant can also mean that you're careful to follow laws and customs to the letter. If you’re an observant Jew or an observant Catholic, you’re following your religion’s rituals and practices very strictly.

Example Sentences

I co-taught this series called “The Observant Eye,” during which we spent our Friday evenings looking at a single artwork for one hour.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2025

Observant Jews avoid grains, known as chametz, a reminder of the unleavened bread the Israelites ate when they fled Egypt quickly with no time for dough to rise.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 17, 2024

Observant Jews don’t cook on Yom Kippur, and even if you’re less observant, it’s pretty hard to stand in the kitchen cooking while you’re fasting.

From Washington Times • Sep. 19, 2023

Observant, charismatic, he brings a physicality to his roles that intimidates precisely because it is neither imposing or muscle-bound.

From Washington Post • Feb. 25, 2023

I was gone Observant, my body rigid; and Dr. 09-01 had his arm about me, and was with great effort trying to turn me away, though my gaze remained locked upon the awful spectacle.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson

Related Words

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