observant

American  

[uhb-zur-vuhnt] / əbˈzɜr vənt /

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 British  

/ 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

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.

Example Sentences

"Ravens are so observant of the landscape that they don't step into traps easily," says Loretto.

From Science Daily • Mar. 19, 2026

The international research team attached tiny GPS trackers to 69 ravens -- an impressive number considering the painstaking work in trapping the particularly observant birds.

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

Blunt, who previously described Dame Jilly as "emotionally intelligent, fantastically generous, sharply observant and utter fun", carried a tote bag with "I love Jilly Cooper" on it.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2026

His anecdotes would become the basis for Crystal’s character, Harry, while Ryan’s witty foil, Sally, was the embodiment of Ephron’s sharp and observant eye.

From Salon • Dec. 17, 2025

He had the same four qualities as any great scientist: he was patient, curious, observant, and persistent.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas

Related Words

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