observant

[uhb-zur-vuhnt]

See more synonyms for observant on Thesaurus.com

adjective

quick to notice or perceive; alert.
looking at, watching, or regarding attentively; watchful.
careful in the observing of a law, custom, religious ritual, or the like.

noun

an observer of law or rule.
(initial capital letter) Also Ob·ser·van·tine [ob-zur-vuhn-tin, -teen] /ɒbˈzɜr vən tɪn, -ˌtin/. a member of a Franciscan order that observes the strict rule of St. Francis.

Origin of observant

1425–75; late Middle English < French, present participle of observer. See observe, -ant

Related formsob·serv·ant·ly, adverbun·ob·serv·ant, adjectiveun·ob·serv·ant·ly, adverb

Synonyms for observant

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

Antonyms for observant

1. dull, slow. 2. heedless.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for observant

mindful, discerning, discriminating, perceptive, vigilant, attentive, intelligent, alive, bright, considering, correct, eager, eagle-eyed, heedful, interested, keen, obedient, penetrating, questioning, quick

Examples from the Web for observant

Contemporary Examples of observant

Really quippy, relevant, observant, and, daresay, relatable dialogue.
‘Girls’ Season 3 Trailer Debuts. Is It the Most Relatable Yet?
Kevin Fallon
November 22, 2013
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
Even in the most ridiculous moments, an observant, compassionate intelligence shines.
Book Bag: Rosecrans Baldwin’s Favorite Celebrity Memoirs
Rosecrans Baldwin
June 25, 2013
Venus was the quiet one: pensive and observant of everything around her.
Understanding Serena Williams’s Steubenville Comments
Allison Samuels
June 20, 2013
Once, when I spent a semester teaching in America, I had several very worldly students who had never met an observant Jew before.
I Don't Text on Shabbas
Gershom Gorenberg
June 17, 2013

Historical Examples of observant

And if I were to be at all observant of him, it must be from fear, not love.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
We have been petting the children, and, like other children, these are a trifle too observant.
Brighter Britain! (Volume 1 of 2)
William Delisle Hay
The observant trio had noticed an additional cause for uneasiness.
A Waif of the Mountains
Edward S. Ellis
At least one of the three ladies possessed an observant mind.
The Hound From The North
Ridgwell Cullum
The doctor, observant and self-possessed, muttered, "He is very capable of that."
Nostromo: A Tale of the Seaboard
Joseph Conrad

British Dictionary definitions for observant

observant

adjective

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

Derived Formsobservantly, 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

Word Origin and History for observant

adj.

1590s, from observe + -ant, or else from French observant, past participle of observer (see observance). In reference to Judaism, from 1902. As a noun from late 15c. Related: Observantly; observantness.