observational

[ ob-zur-vey-shuh-nl ]

/ ˌɒb zɜrˈveɪ ʃə nl /

See synonyms for observational on Thesaurus.com

adjective

of, relating to, or founded on observation, especially founded on observation rather than experiment.

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We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. Do you know what they mean?

Question 1 of 11

Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese?

owl

crow

piranha

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Origin of observational

First recorded in 1825–35; observation + -al¹

OTHER WORDS FROM observational

ob·ser·va·tion·al·ly, adverbnon·ob·ser·va·tion·al, adjectivepre·ob·ser·va·tion·al, adjective

Words nearby observational

obsequy, observable, observance, observant, observation, observational, observation car, observation post, observatory, observe, observer

Example sentences from the Web for observational

When a scientific truth arises, it is so because of observational and experimental consensus.
The Curious Passions of Mr. Cosmos: Neil deGrasse Tyson On Space, Climate, and Why Curiosity Wins Every Time|Scott Bixby|June 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Meanwhile, some of the observational studies don't even show any benefit from insurance.
Study: Giving People Government Health Insurance May Not Make them Any Healthier|Megan McArdle|May 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In both stories, the detached, observational voice calmly belies the impossibility of ever keeping a job ‘strictly business.’
Great Weekend Reads|The Daily Beast|July 3, 2011|DAILY BEAST
All the lurking about unnoticed has allowed her to sharpen her observational skills.
10 Smart YA Reads|Shannon Donnelly|September 16, 2010|DAILY BEAST

Observational astronomy, meanwhile, was advancing to Descriptive and practical astronomy.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 7|Various
He was hardly a practical astronomer in the observational sense.
Kepler|Walter W. Bryant
Even so with truth in observational science: it is built up of trifles patiently gathered together.
The Life of the Spider|J. Henri Fabre
For the most part it has been an observational rather than an experimental study.
Mimicry in Butterflies|Reginald Crundall Punnett
This first and oldest branch is known as "observational," or "practical astronomy."
A Popular History of Astronomy During the Nineteenth Century|Agnes M. (Agnes Mary) Clerke

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observational

adjective

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Origin of observational

OTHER WORDS FROM observational

Words nearby observational

Example sentences from the Web for observational

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

observational

adjective

QUIZZES

DISCOVER THE INFLUENCE OF PORTUGUESE ON ENGLISH VIA THIS QUIZ!

Origin of observational

OTHER WORDS FROM observational

Words nearby observational

Words related to observational

Example sentences from the Web for observational