observant
Americanadjective
-
quick to notice or perceive; alert.
Watch for traffic and stay observant as you walk, not lost in thought.
- Synonyms:
- perceptive
-
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.
- Antonyms:
- heedless
-
-
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 orto ).
He is well-versed in Jewish law, and observant of its commandments.
- Synonyms:
- obedient
-
noun
-
a person who follows or adheres to a particular law, custom, religion, etc.
-
Observant. Also Observantine a member of a Franciscan order that follows the strict rule of St. Francis.
adjective
-
paying close attention to detail; watchful or heedful
-
adhering strictly to rituals, ceremonies, laws, etc
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing observant
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Crenshaw
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But these two figures, created by one of our most keenly observant writers, deserve to be interpreted anew.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2026
Their latest collaboration does so “one bird at a time,” asking us to join two fine and observant artists in a high calling—not to sentimentalize the world, but to notice it before we lose it.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026
Rarely can one film feel so observant of how our memories of a person and a time can change in the space between loving them and losing them.
From Salon • May 25, 2026
Sinclair, an observant Masorti or conservative Jew, who grew up in north London, said he has often had positive reactions and "moving moments" in response to his choice of kippah from Palestinian citizens of Israel.
From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026
“I was wrong — you’re much more observant than I gave you credit for.”
From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
