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

• unobservant
  adjective
• observantly
  adverb
• 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

“The Observant Eye” became, for its regulars, a sacred ritual, a time for pause in a city that didn’t nurture pause, a balm in the frenzied pace of our urban and digital lives.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2025

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 Muslims abstain from food and water from dawn to dusk during Ramadan and then, as the sun sets, break their daytime fast with iftar, the evening meal.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 30, 2023

Observant Sikhs wear turbans, covering their uncut hair, which they call kesh, as part of their faith.

From New York Times • Oct. 17, 2022

Often, I was Observant for hours at a time, and would respond to none, but instead sat motionless and noted the minute stitching of brocade, or the ingenuity of wood.

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