observe

verb

ob·​serve əb-ˈzərv 

observed; observing

transitive verb

1

: to conform one's action or practice to (something, such as a law, rite, or condition) : comply with

failed to observe the law and as a consequence had to pay a fine

2

: to inspect or take note of as an augury, omen, or presage

observed the flight of the sacred geese

3

: to celebrate or solemnize (something, such as a ceremony or festival) in a customary or accepted way

observed Independence Day with a parade

4

a

: to watch carefully especially with attention to details or behavior for the purpose of arriving at a judgment

observed the behavior of the children

b

: to make a scientific observation on or of

observed the mating habits of the grouse

5

: to come to realize or know especially through consideration of noted facts

… observed that the indefinite reduction of any given risk to society often brings with it an increase in other risks.

—E. L. Zebroski

6

: to utter as a remark

"The paint," she observed, "is already starting to peel."

intransitive verb

1

a

: to take notice

When your teacher is demonstrating something, sit up and observe!

b

: to make observations : watch

Perform your tricks, and we will observe.

2

: remark, comment

In her speech she observed on the changing climate.

observingly

əb-ˈzər-viŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• adhere (to)
• comply (with)
• conform (to)
• follow
• goose-step (to)
• mind
• obey

Choose the Right Synonym for observe

keep, observe, celebrate, commemorate mean to notice or honor a day, occasion, or deed.

keep stresses the idea of not neglecting or violating.

kept the Sabbath by refraining from work

observe suggests marking the occasion by ceremonious performance.

not all holidays are observed nationally

celebrate suggests acknowledging an occasion by festivity.

traditionally celebrates Thanksgiving with a huge dinner

commemorate suggests that an occasion is marked by observances that remind one of the origin and significance of the event.

commemorate Memorial Day with the laying of wreaths

Examples of observe in a Sentence

The class will be observing the movements of fish.

The patient must be observed constantly.

Children learn by observing their parents and others.

The new teacher will give the lesson today and the principal will observe.

We observed a large flock of birds heading north.

He observed two children playing with marbles on the street corner.

She observed that every man in the room had removed his hat.

Few cases of the disease have been observed in humans.

Recent Examples on the Web

The James Webb Space Telescope has spent three years observing remote galaxies, black holes and distant planets, but its latest discovery was a little bit closer to home. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 17 Sep. 2024

Researchers have observed an increase in traffic accidents, medical errors, heart attacks, and strokes on the days when the clocks change. —Anna Gordon, TIME, 16 Sep. 2024

Last spring, Portugal observed the fiftieth anniversary of the 1974 Carnation Revolution that swept away António Salazar’s decades-long statist regime. —John Oseid, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024

July saw not one, but three of the hottest days ever observed worldwide. —Julia Eskins, Vogue, 16 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English observen "to follow, conform to, practice, celebrate," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French observer "to comply with, uphold" (also continental Old French), borrowed from Latin observāre "to give attention to, watch carefully, abide by, adhere to, celebrate," from ob- "toward, facing, against" + servāre "to watch over, guard, keep, observe (a law, custom)" — more at ob-, conserve

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing observe

• observe the social amenities

Kids Definition

observe

verb

ob·​serve əb-ˈzərv 

observed; observing

1

: to act in agreement with : obey

observe the law

2

: to celebrate or honor (as a holiday) with special events or customs

3

a

: to watch carefully

observed how the food was prepared

b

: to make a scientific observation of

observe an eclipse

4

: to come to understand or know especially by thinking about facts that have been noted

I have observed that it happens more often on Tuesdays

5

: to say as a remark

observed that it was a fine day and we agreed

observer noun