observant

ob·serv·ant (əb zʉrv′ənt)

adjective

strict in observing, or keeping, a law, custom, duty, rule, etc.: often with of observant of the rules of etiquette
paying careful attention; keenly watchful
perceptive or alert
Judaism designating or of a person who adheres strictly to traditional religious practices

Etymology: Fr, prp. of observer, observe

noun

ob·serv′·antly adverb

modif.

Given to observing
keen, alert, penetrating, wide-awake, discerning, perceptive, sharp, eager, interested, discovering, detecting, discriminating, searching, understanding, questioning, deducing, surveying, alive, contemplating, regardful, considering, sensitive, clear-sighted, comprehending, bright, intelligent, on the ball*, on the beam*, on one's toes*; see also intelligent 1, judicious.
Antonyms thoughtless*, unobservant, insensitive. *
Engaged in observing
watchful, gazing, attentive, alert, awake, wide-awake, sleepless, wakeful, noticing, viewing, vigilant, reconnoitering, guarding, mindful, on guard, regardful, listening, heedful, on the watch, on the lookout, on the qui vive, looking out, intent on, alive to, careful, undistracted, intent, open-eyed, sharp-eyed, circumspect, cautious, wary, prudent, marking, inspecting, scrutinizing, examining, surveying, all ears*, all eyes*; see also watching.
Antonyms careless*, heedless*, inattentive.

Infinitive complement

notice: You would have had to be even more observant to notice what another new volunteer on site is doing!

Modifies a noun

Jew: In other words, more observant Jews were less likely to exhibit environmentally friendly behavior than Progressive or Secular Jews.
reader: The more observant readers will now be saying to themselves, " Four ha ha ha ha!
eye: He is a history graduate with an observant eye for reminders of the past.
man: Our most observant Man, most unobserved; Maker of Portraits for Humanity!
student: Thankfully, an observant student with too much time on his hands ( waves!
people: For these observant people, the importance of adherence to strict Jewish law cannot be overstated.

Modifying Another Word

religiously: But this is not simply a dispute between the religiously observant and the secular.
keenly: This prompted keenly observant Dissident Veteran for Peace to ask: is " Zionist Apparel " Too Hot for American Apparel?
sharply: Brown's staging occasionally slid toward camp, but elsewhere was sharply observant of the vagaries of human nature.
very: For a time I was very observant, watching the coffin lowered, hearing the words of the ritual.
not: The vast majority of Jews in the world are not observant.
reasonably: I'm a reasonably observant Catholic ( by European standards anyway ).

Used with adjective complement

become: Ibrahim says his business has been pummeled as people have become more observant.
remain: You need to remain observant of your rats ' behavior.

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