observant

[uhb-zur-vuhnt]

adjective

1. quick to notice or perceive; alert.

   Watch for traffic and stay observant as you walk, not lost in thought.

   Synonyms: perceptive
   Antonyms: slow, dull

2. 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.

   Synonyms: aware, mindful, heedful, attentive
   Antonyms: heedless

3. 1. 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.

   2. 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

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

2. Observant. Also Observantine a member of a Franciscan order that follows the strict rule of St. Francis.

observant

/ əbˈzɜːvənt /

adjective

1. paying close attention to detail; watchful or heedful

2. adhering strictly to rituals, ceremonies, laws, etc

Other Word Forms

• observantly adverb
• unobservant adjective
• unobservantly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of observant¹

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

Example Sentences

As he does so often in this book, Crowe pulls the reader in with his keenly observant eye that would serve him so well in his second career as a filmmaker.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Her agent Felicity Blunt remeberend the writer as "emotionally intelligent, fantastically generous, sharply observant and utter fun".

Read more on BBC

And for the observant, yes, this ad is basically nonsensical.

Read more on Salon

Is he any more observant than any other driver on the grid, do you think?

Read more on BBC

Together, the characters represent the spectrum of religious attitudes — from atheist to convert, selectively to very observant — but all are steeped in the culture.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• attentive 
• discerning 
• discriminating 
• intelligent 
• mindful 
• perceptive 
• vigilant