observant

[ uhb-zur-vuhnt ]

See synonyms for observant on Thesaurus.com

adjective

quick to notice or perceive; alert: Watch for traffic and stay observant as you walk, not lost in thought.
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

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

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

Rarely observative .

Other words for observant

1	perceptive
2	attentive, heedful, mindful, aware
3	obedient

See synonyms for observant on Thesaurus.com

Opposites for observant

1	dull, slow
2	heedless

See antonyms for observant on Thesaurus.com

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. 2023

How to use observant in a sentence

Her brother Shlomo, 24, is preparing for law school, dipping a toe into dating and struggling over how observant he ultimately wants to be.
Netflix’s My Unorthodox Life Is More Bravo Docusoap Than Real-Life Unorthodox | Judy Berman | July 14, 2021 | Time
Changes are happening everywhere, and so we need them to be observant and not be distracted.
With a focus on equity, Everett Lott takes helm of agency overseeing how people get around D.C. | Luz Lazo | July 1, 2021 | Washington Post
Even a moderately observant UFO monitoring the United States would have noticed, in late March of 2020, that something was seriously amiss.
The Great American Reopening, in 5 Charts | Chris Wilson | June 9, 2021 | Time
Frazes considers herself culturally Jewish but not particularly observant.
On Clubhouse, a Global Jewish Community Takes Root | Raisa Bruner | May 6, 2021 | Time
They realized that for the second year in a row, the pandemic would disrupt the usual gathering of families and friends for the seder, the ritual dinner in which observants re-tell the story of the Jewish exodus from Egypt.
A voice game boom is giving kids a break from screen time | Tanya Basu | March 27, 2021 | MIT Technology Review

The Turkish history of imposed Jacobin Secularism ended up creating virtual segregation against observant Muslims.
Turkey’s Struggle for Checks and Balances | Husain Haqqani | January 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Really quippy, relevant, observant, and, daresay, relatable dialogue.
‘Girls’ Season 3 Trailer Debuts. Is It the Most Relatable Yet? | Kevin Fallon | November 22, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Kamala's character will struggle to exist in her observant Muslim family.
Meet the Muslim Ms. Marvel: Kamala Khan’s Fight Against Stereotypes | Rula Jebreal | November 8, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
I am a proud Israeli and a religiously observant Jew and a functional pacifist.
What's Wrong With the Discourse About Throwing Rocks? | Moriel Rothman | August 9, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Even in the most ridiculous moments, an observant, compassionate intelligence shines.
Book Bag: Rosecrans Baldwin’s Favorite Celebrity Memoirs | Rosecrans Baldwin | June 25, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
This man does not appear at all put out by Mr. Arden's observant presence, nor even conscious of it.
Checkmate | Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
Her youthful vanity had its way in a mind too speculative, intelligent, observant, merely to be shocked.
Ancestors | Gertrude Atherton
Mr. Pontellier, who was observant about such things, noticed it, as he served the soup and handed it to the boy in waiting.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate Chopin
Had she, so observant, so discerning in her fastidious taste—had she failed to notice the small detail too?
The Wave | Algernon Blackwood
Whereupon the observant Seton saw a quick change take place in the girl's expression.
Dope | Sax Rohmer

British Dictionary definitions for observant

observant

/ (əbˈzɜːvənt) /

adjective

paying close attention to detail; watchful or heedful
adhering strictly to rituals, ceremonies, laws, etc

Derived forms of observant

observantly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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