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”
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.
Federal court rulings have reaffirmed the right of citizens to observe and record police activity in public areas under the First Amendment.
From Salon
The AI system observed how mouth shapes changed with different sounds, allowing it to associate audio input directly with motor movement.
From Science Daily
Researchers also observed improvements in lipid profiles, a change associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
From Science Daily
"During surgery, I observed a rupture in a swollen MicroShunt. If more clinicians are aware of this risk, they will be able to prevent similar problems."
From Science Daily
“He has a huge audience, and a lot of people listen to him, both directly and indirectly,” Lee Drutman, a senior fellow at the left-leaning New America think tank, observed.
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.
