observant

[ uhb-zur-vuhnt ]

/ əbˈzɜr vənt /

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.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of observant

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

SYNONYMS FOR observant

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

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR observant ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR observant

1. dull, slow. 2. heedless.

SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR observant ON THESAURUS.COM

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for 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|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|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|DAILY BEAST
Venus was the quiet one: pensive and observant of everything around her.
Understanding Serena Williams’s Steubenville Comments|Allison Samuels|June 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST

The quirky tenor of his voice, combined with his observant, mocking tone, gelled perfectly with the screwball proceedings.
Why ‘Arrested Development’s’ Fourth Season Is a Bust: Contracts and More|Marlow Stern|May 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But his own observant eyes automatically reporting on the darkening landscape checked him.
Patsy|S. R. Crockett
His low 'snarling' note attracts the attention of only the observant.
What Bird is That?|Frank M. Chapman
Perhaps he was a little too much engrossed in his own perplexities to be as observant as usual.
Christopher Hibbault, Roadmaker|Marguerite Bryant
The light-heartedness of the Celt is another feature which strikes the least observant stranger.
The Reminiscences of an Irish Land Agent|S.M. Hussey
The intimate yarn of the observant soldier home on leave, who could trust his listener, is superior to much one sees in print.
Waiting for Daylight|Henry Major Tomlinson

British Dictionary definitions for observant

observant

/ (əbˈzɜːvənt) /

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

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.