observe

[ uhb-zurv ]

/ əbˈzɜrv /

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See synonyms for: observe / observed / observing on Thesaurus.com

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).

SYNONYMS FOR observe

2 note.

4 mention, say.

6 follow, fulfill.

7 celebrate, keep.

See synonyms for observe on Thesaurus.com

ANTONYMS FOR observe

1-3, 6-8 ignore.

See antonyms for observe on Thesaurus.com

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”

Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.

Question 1 of 7

Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?

their

there

they're

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of observe

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English observen, from Middle French observer, from Latin observāre “to watch, regard, attend to,” equivalent to ob-ob- + servāre “to keep, save, pay heed to”

synonym study for observe

2. 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.

OTHER WORDS FROM observe

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

Words nearby observe

observation, observational, observation car, observation post, observatory, observe, observer, obsess, obsessed, obsession, obsessive

Example sentences from the Web for observe

We paddled out to where a knot of other kayakers were observing a humpback and her calf, which occasionally poked its head above water.
A Maui vacation in three acts|Alex Pulaski|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
Five telescopes in space observed the flare on April 15, 2020.
Exploding neutron star proves to be energy standout of the cosmos|Lisa Grossman|February 12, 2021|Science News For Students
After observing the sky from Palomar Observatory in California for 17 months, De and colleagues detected 12 nova explosions.
The number of Milky Way nova explosions per year has been pinned down|Ken Croswell|February 12, 2021|Science News
The officer statement recalls Springsteen “visibly swaying back and forth” when the officer observed his eyes, and taking “45 total steps instead of the instructed 18” during what’s known as a walk and turn test.
Bruce Springsteen’s Super Bowl Jeep commercial pulled after news of singer’s DWI arrest|Bethonie Butler|February 11, 2021|Washington Post

For many, providing seed and observing wild birds represents a rare pleasure during the pandemic.
Your dirty bird feeder could be spreading disease|Melissa Hart|February 9, 2021|Washington Post
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
Gays observe hetero-excitement over the lumbersexual with a weary eyeroll.
How Straight World Stole ‘Gay’: The Last Gasp of the ‘Lumbersexual’|Tim Teeman|November 12, 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
Many so-called "humming tones" are given for practice, but in accepting them observe whether the foregoing principle is obeyed.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick
As the devil never wanted insinuators, I shall observe, that I learned a way how to make a man dream of what I pleased.
The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner (1801)|Daniel Defoe
Yet I think if we observe closely we shall detect traces of a spontaneous impulse towards self-adornment.
Children's Ways|James Sully
The countess-dowager was not very adroit at spelling and composition, whether French or English, as you observe.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood
On his departure from the Alcazar, the warden thought it prudent to send a person to observe his movements.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter

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 forms of observe

observable, 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

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

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WORD OF THE DAY

observe

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

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

SYNONYMS FOR observe

ANTONYMS FOR observe

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”

Origin of observe

synonym study for observe

OTHER WORDS FROM observe

Words nearby observe

Example sentences from the Web for observe

British Dictionary definitions for observe

verb

Derived forms of observe

Word Origin for observe

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

observe

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

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

SYNONYMS FOR observe

ANTONYMS FOR observe

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”

Origin of observe

synonym study for observe

OTHER WORDS FROM observe

Words nearby observe

Words related to observe

Example sentences from the Web for observe

British Dictionary definitions for observe

verb

Derived forms of observe

Word Origin for observe