observe Hear it!

observe Definition

ob·serve (əb zʉrv′)

transitive verb -·served′, -·serv′·ing

  1. to adhere to, follow, keep, or abide by (a law, custom, duty, rule, etc.)
  2. to celebrate or keep (a holiday, etc.) according to custom
    1. to notice or perceive (something)
    2. to pay special attention to
  4. to arrive at as a conclusion after study
  5. to say or mention casually; remark
  6. to examine and study scientifically

Etymology: ME observen < OFr observer < L observare, to watch, note < ob- (see ob-) + servare, to keep or hold < IE base *ser-, to watch over, guard > Sans haraiti, (he) guards

intransitive verb

  1. to take notice
  2. to comment or remark (on or upon)
  3. to act as an observer

observe Related Forms

ob·serv′·ingly adverb

observe Synonyms

observe

v.

  1. To notice

    look at, perceive, recognize, discern; see discern, see 1, witness. See syn. study at discern.

  2. To watch

    scrutinize, inspect, examine; see watch 1.

  3. To comment

    note, remark, mention; see comment 1.

  4. To commemorate

    celebrate, commemorate, keep; see celebrate 1. See syn. study at celebrate.

  5. To abide by

    conform to, comply, adopt; see follow 2, obey 2.

observe Usage Examples

Object

  • silence: People in Tower Hamlets also observed two minutes silence on November 11 in memory of the war heroes.
  • transit: Wednesday 7th May 2003 Transit of Mercury We observed the transit at Lesley's home then at Green Witch.
  • phenomenon: Contrast it with Bohr's cautious approach to the problem of observing quantum phenomena; .. .
  • precaution: You should observe sensible precautions such as keeping your personal belongings, including passports and money, secure.
  • rule: Agencies failing to observe the rules could be left with a nasty legal hangover once the festivities are over.
  • wildlife: Ideal for those wanting to observe wildlife at close quarters.

Preposition: on

occasion: This was observed on two later occasions by other witnesses.

Subject

observer: Time in a moving system will be observed by a stationary observer to be running slower by the following factor.

Preposition: during

interview: They highlight many of the issues that they have observed during interviews with disabled students.

Modifying Another Word

  • experimentally: Estimates suggest moving ESs may be experimentally observed as approximately 10 fs pulses with velocity up to 1/10th that of light.
  • strictly: When you are driving, always wear a safety belt, strictly observe speed limits, traffic lights and signs.

Used with why or when

  • when: All are able to make life and all can be observed when that life becomes intelligent.
  • what: During the experience, the researcher observed each participant and was able to simultaneously observe what he was viewing in the HMD.
  • which: No systematic variation in the dipole tilt angle was observed which could explain these observations.
  • where: But some problems have been observed where this has not worked.

Present participle complement

nest: Twelve species were observed nesting at the marsh, 30 % in cattail and 30 % in Palo Verde trees.

Preposition: in

  • cps: After august and medicaid eligibility variables uninsured inappropriately dilutes observed in the cps.
  • patient: Caution should be especially observed in patients with hepatic insufficiency.
  • simulation: While drift may be observed in direct numerical simulations, these computations are often expensive and lack generality.

Preposition: by

observer: Time in a moving system will be observed by a stationary observer to be running slower by the following factor.