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.

Nearby words

obsequies, obsequious, obsequy, observable, observance, observant, observation, observation car, observation post, observational, observative

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.

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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.