observe

[ uhb-zurv ]

/ əbˈzɜrv /

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verb (used with object), ob·served, ob·serv·ing.

to see, watch, perceive, or notice: He observed the passersby in the street.

to regard with attention, especially so as to see or learn something: I want you to observe her reaction to the judge's question.

to watch, view, or note for a scientific, official, or other special purpose: to observe an eclipse.

to state by way of comment; remark: He observed frequently that clerks were not as courteous as they used to be.

to keep or maintain in one's action, conduct, etc.: You must observe quiet.

to obey, comply with, or conform to: to observe laws.

to show regard for by some appropriate procedure, ceremony, etc.: to observe Palm Sunday.

to perform duly or solemnize (ceremonies, rites, etc.).

to note or inspect closely for an omen or sign of future events.

verb (used without object), ob·served, ob·serv·ing.

to notice.

to act as an observer.

to remark or comment (usually followed by on or upon).

Nearby words

Origin of observe

1350–1400; Middle English observen < Middle French observer < Latin observāre to watch, regard, attend to, equivalent to ob- ob- + servāre to keep, save, pay heed to

SYNONYMS FOR observe

2 note. Observe, witness imply paying strict attention to what one sees or perceives. Both are “continuative” in action. To observe is to mark or be attentive to something seen, heard, etc.; to consider carefully; to watch steadily: to observe the behavior of birds, a person's pronunciation. To witness, formerly to be present when something was happening, has added the idea of having observed with sufficient care to be able to give an account as evidence: to witness an accident.

4 mention, say.

6 follow, fulfill.

7 celebrate, keep.

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ANTONYMS FOR observe

1–3, 6–8 ignore.

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Related forms

ob·serv·ed·ly

[uhb-zur-vid-lee] /əbˈzɜr vɪd li/, adverbob·serv·ing·ly, adverbnon·ob·serv·ing, adjectivenon·ob·serv·ing·ly, adverb

pre·ob·serve, verb (used with object), pre·ob·served, pre·ob·serv·ing.qua·si-ob·served, adjectivere·ob·serve, verb, re·ob·served, re·ob·serv·ing.self-ob·served, adjectiveun·ob·served, adjectiveun·ob·serv·ing, adjectivewell-ob·served, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for observe

Photos: Fury at the Ferguson Decision I had yet to be born to observe the events of Bloody Sunday on March 7, 1965.
Justice Was Served in Ferguson—This Isn’t Jim Crow America|Ron Christie|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Instead, astronomers hope to observe planet formation in all its stages, each marking a phase in star and planet birth.
The Most Stunning View Ever of Planets Being Born|Matthew R. Francis|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some supporters keep pace, and others trail behind walking, there to observe Booker in the flesh more than for the cardio.
The Ugly Truth About Cory Booker, New Jersey’s Golden Boy|Olivia Nuzzi|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Mitchell said the cameras give administrators the ability to observe teachers in action and offer them tips and coaching.
At This Creepy Libertarian Charter School, Kids Must Swear ‘to Be Obedient to Those in Authority’|ProPublica|October 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST

I begin to observe that it sounds as if Sully is in microcosm what Newman himself…but that is as far as I get.
The Stacks: The Eyes of Winter: Paul Newman at 70|Peter Richmond|October 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Observe, how dexterously by this measure we shall both reach the goal of our desires.
Love and Intrigue|Friedrich Schiller
The ceiling and the walls, as you will observe, are covered with names.
Summer Days in Shakespeare Land|Charles G. Harper
After this brief survey, if we look back over the road we have come, we observe the following general facts.
International Congress of Arts and Science, Volume I|Various
Let us observe it well, for the whole future of the Church is bound up with it.
The Expositor's Bible: The Acts of the Apostles, Vol. 1|G. T. Stokes
We observe simply that the trend of modern thought is toward this system.
The Non-religion of the Future: A Sociological Study|Jean-Marie Guyau

British Dictionary definitions for observe

observe

/ (əbˈzɜːv) /

verb

(tr; may take a clause as object) to see; perceive; noticewe have observed that you steal

(when tr, may take a clause as object) to watch (something) carefully; pay attention to (something)

to make observations of (something), esp scientific ones

(when intr, usually foll by on or upon; when tr, may take a clause as object) to make a comment or remarkthe speaker observed that times had changed

(tr) to abide by, keep, or follow (a custom, tradition, law, holiday, etc)

Derived Formsobservable, adjectiveobservableness or observability, nounobservably, adverb

Word Origin for observe

C14: via Old French from Latin observāre, from ob- to + servāre to watch

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 observe

observe

late 14c., "to hold to" (a manner of life or course of conduct), from Old French observer, osserver "to observe, watch over, follow" (10c.), from Latin observare "watch over, note, heed, look to, attend to, guard, regard, comply with," from ob "over" (see ob-) + servare "to watch, keep safe," from PIE root *ser- "to protect." Meaning "to attend to in practice, to keep, follow" is attested from late 14c. Sense of "watch, perceive, notice" is 1560s, via notion of "see and note omens." Meaning "to say by way of remark" is from c.1600. Related: Observed; observing.

observe

verb (used with object), ob·served, ob·serv·ing.

verb (used without object), ob·served, ob·serv·ing.

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Nearby words

Origin of observe

Examples from the Web for observe

British Dictionary definitions for observe

observe

verb

Word Origin for observe

Word Origin and History for observe

observe