observable

adjective

ob·​serv·​able əb-ˈzər-və-bəl 

1

: noteworthy

2

: capable of being observed : discernible

observability

əb-ˌzər-və-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

observable noun

observably

əb-ˈzər-və-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• apparent
• seeable
• visible
• visual

Examples of observable in a Sentence

the size of the observable universe

scientists often work with phenomena that are not directly observable

Recent Examples on the Web

The first thing a marketer should do is look at weekly sales for the last few years to see if there was an observable effect. —Roger Dooley, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025

The apparatus seemed to follow the logic of utility, but if one looked closely, the structure had no observable function. —Anelise Chen, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2025

Plus, the fabric was in good shape, with no observable flaws. —Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2025

Cosmic voids that stretch across millions even billions of light years of spacetime make up most of the volume of the observable universe. —Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "that must or can be observed," borrowed from Latin observābilis "capable of being observed," from observāre "to give attention to, watch carefully, observe" + -bilis "capable (of acting) or worthy of (being acted upon)" — more at -able

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for observable

• unobservable

Kids Definition

observable

adjective

ob·​serv·​able əb-ˈzər-və-bəl 

: able to be observed : noticeable

observably

-blē 

adverb