observable

[ uhb-zur-vuh-buhl ]

/ əbˈzɜr və bəl /

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See synonyms for observable on Thesaurus.com

adjective

capable of being or liable to be observed; noticeable; visible; discernible: an observable change in attitude.

worthy or important enough to be celebrated, followed, or observed: an observable holiday.

deserving of attention; noteworthy.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of observable

1600–10; <Latin observābilis remarkable, equivalent to observā(re) to observe + -bilis-ble

OTHER WORDS FROM observable

ob·serv·a·bil·i·ty, ob·serv·a·ble·ness, nounob·serv·a·bly, adverbnon·ob·serv·a·ble, adjectivenon·ob·serv·a·bly, adverb

un·ob·serv·a·ble, adjective

Words nearby observable

obsequent stream, obsequies, obsequious, obsequiousness, obsequy, observable, observance, observant, observation, observational, observation car

How to use observable in a sentence

I felt I should try to live up to the occasion and present some new ideas, so I raised the question of how the axion field settles down after the Big Bang, and whether it might leave an observable relic.
A Prodigy Who Cracked Open the Cosmos|Claudia Dreifus|January 12, 2021|Quanta Magazine
He lived for 12 years after his diagnosis, and I would guess at least 17 years since his first observable symptoms.
When Your Father Falls Apart|Eugene Robinson|December 23, 2020|Ozy
In quantum mechanics, a particular property of a substance — electrical conductivity, say, or optical transparency or reflectivity — corresponds to the average or “expectation value” of an observable quantity.
Alchemy Arrives in a Burst of Light|Philip Ball|September 30, 2020|Quanta Magazine
According to some calculations, the cosmos might have cooled so quickly that the fabric of space-time became fractured, creating a network of whisper-thin tubes filled by pure energy that stretch across the breadth of the observable universe.
Some Physicists See Signs of Cosmic Strings From the Big Bang|Thomas Lewton|September 29, 2020|Quanta Magazine

In terms of the quality of the pitches they make — as measured by observable factors such as velocity and movement — southpaws are simply not in the same league as righties.
What Really Gives Left-Handed Pitchers Their Edge?|Guy Molyneux|August 17, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
The observable Universe contains around 100 billion large galaxies and a comparable number of supermassive black holes.
The Black Hole Tango|Matthew R. Francis|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
All ISIS logistics and dispositions in the field are observable by drone and satellite.
How a Real Air War Could Demolish ISIS|Clive Irving|August 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Theory: a scientifically acceptable principle explaining a set of observable facts.
What's Wrong With Republicans?||November 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Global warming is an observable fact, and transportation emissions are the second largest contributor to the problem.
Pancakes' New Topper|Stacey Slate|December 8, 2009|DAILY BEAST
How has this soldier demonstrated recurring actions, patterns, or observable behaviors that might indicate his real beliefs?
Why We Should Screen Muslim Soldiers|Ken Allard|November 27, 2009|DAILY BEAST
And on these faces, there was a certain pettiness and coldness not observable on those of the poorer women.
The Daughters of Danaus|Mona Caird
Algernon spoke with his old bright smile; but two things were observable throughout this interview.
A Charming Fellow, Volume II (of 3)|Frances Eleanor Trollope
We must reason from laws of nature; from the uniformities which are observable in the fact of likeness or unlikeness.
A System of Logic: Ratiocinative and Inductive|John Stuart Mill
A groove or depression is commonly observable in the stone, designed to receive the string.
The Indian in his Wigwam|Henry R. Schoolcraft
A drift of thought—an elevation of style, is observable in their public speaking which is dropt in private conversation.
The Indian in his Wigwam|Henry R. Schoolcraft

Scientific definitions for observable

observable

[ əb-zûr′və-bəl ]

A measurable property of a physical system, such as mass or momentum. In quantum mechanics, observables correspond to mathematical operators used in the calculation of measurable quantities. Operators that do not commute, having a nonzero commutator, correspond to observables that cannot be precisely measured at the same time, such as momentum and position. See also uncertainty principle.

observable

Origin of observable

OTHER WORDS FROM observable

Words nearby observable

Words related to observable

How to use observable in a sentence

Scientific definitions for observable