observe
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to see, watch, perceive, or notice.
He observed the passersby in the street.
- Antonyms:
- ignore
-
to regard with attention, especially so as to see or learn something.
I want you to observe her reaction to the judge's question.
- Synonyms:
- note
- Antonyms:
- ignore
-
to watch, view, or note for a scientific, official, or other special purpose.
to observe an eclipse.
- Antonyms:
- ignore
-
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.
- Antonyms:
- ignore
-
to show regard for by some appropriate procedure, ceremony, etc..
to observe Palm Sunday.
- Antonyms:
- ignore
-
to perform duly or solemnize (ceremonies, rites, etc.).
- Antonyms:
- ignore
-
to note or inspect closely for an omen or sign of future events.
verb (used without object)
-
to notice.
-
to act as an observer.
-
to remark or comment (usually followed by on orupon ).
verb
-
(tr; may take a clause as object) to see; perceive; notice
we 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
-
to make a comment or remark
the speaker observed that times had changed
-
(tr) to abide by, keep, or follow (a custom, tradition, law, holiday, etc)
Related Words
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 Word Forms
- nonobserving adjective
- nonobservingly adverb
- observable adjective
- observableness noun
- observably adverb
- observedly adverb
- observingly adverb
- preobserve verb (used with object)
- quasi-observed adjective
- reobserve verb
- self-observed adjective
- unobserved adjective
- unobserving adjective
- well-observed adjective
Etymology
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”
Explanation
Observe is often used to mean “remark” or “comment.” When trying to start up a conversation with an attractive stranger, you might observe that it’s raining outside (but hopefully you’ll come up with something more interesting to say). Observe has several secondary meanings, one of which is “notice” or “discover.” If you start a conversation with that attractive stranger, you’ll probably observe whether he or she seems interested in talking to you. Observe can also mean “watch carefully with great interest”; you might be tempted to observe the attractive stranger in this manner, but that might make him or her uncomfortable. Try to stay cool.
Vocabulary lists containing observe
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 5
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Memorial Day Words
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The whales have brought wonder, as residents and researchers now get to closely observe how they feed, breed and socially engage.
From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026
The project would be the first U.S. mission to Venus in more than 30 years, Dreier said, and aims to make a high-resolution mapping of the planet’s surface and observe its atmosphere.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2026
As a mahjong newbie, I was there to observe seasoned players.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026
At one time, it was considered an absolute necessity for public officials to observe these rules and take proper action to avoid them.
From Salon • Apr. 16, 2026
Or maybe he’d turn his back on it and observe the crowds instead.
From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
