observer Definition
ob·server (əb zʉrv′ər)
noun
- a person who observes something; specif.,
- a soldier manning an observation post
- a person who attends an assembly, convention, etc., not as an official delegate but only to observe and report the proceedings
- an official, usually a member of a group, sent by a UN committee to collect and report facts on the situation in a special area
- a member of an aircraft crew, other than a pilot, with certain specialized duties and a special rating (aircraft observer)
observer Synonyms
observer
n.
One who watches
watcher, watchman, sentinel, lookout, sentry, guard, detective, policeman, reconnoiterer, spectator, eyewitness, beholder, onlooker, bystander, passer-by, meddler, peeper, voyeur, prying person, peeping Tom*, rubberneck*; see also spy, witness.One who offers original comment
commentator, novelist, columnist, armchair quarterback*, drugstore cowboy*; see also author 2, historian, writer.
observer Usage Examples
Converse of subject
- perceive: Indeed, the isolated sytem does not absorb or emit anything... and, as a result, cannot be perceived by any observer.
- observe: Time in a moving system will be observed by a stationary observer to be running slower by the following factor.
Converse of object
- detach: They were not there as entirely detached observers, tho some did their best to be.
- invite: We were the only British representatives among 250 observers invited from around the world.
- send: The OSCE has sent 10,000 observers to more than 150 elections in the past 10 years.
- surprise: Although the election results surprised many observers, both sides began conversations to bring a peaceful transfer of power.
- remind: However, this cameo from Jones is starting to remind this observer of the NatWest Series final when England managed to scramble a draw.
Adjective modifier
- casual: To walk is to thrust oneself into the melee rather than maintain the distance of a casual observer.
- impartial: What seems criminality on a grand scale to the impartial observer was to the British simply a matter of getting on with the job.
- disinterested: It is clear to even the most disinterested observer that the cost of purchasing a PC has fallen considerably.
- passive: But the Empress was more than just a passive observer.
- seasoned: When times are hard, a seasoned observer might be inclined to say that shoppers will head for the value end of the market.
- neutral: Personally, I think Kev Howitt's past words and actions preclude him from being regarded as a neutral observer.
Modifies a noun
- status: Children should only be allowed observer status from a safe distance.
- bias: The Late Neolithic of the southern Levant: Hiatus, settlement shift or observer bias?
- mission: Quite soon Arthur was sent to Manchuria where he was part of the British observer mission with the Japanese army fighting the Russians.
Noun used with modifier
- saysnarky: Is in theory officials saysnarky observers private contractors which.
- artillery: The main body the the Russians moved forward, with infantry, tanks and artillery observers at the front.
- participant: Assessment During the program, you will progress from participant observer, via support teacher and sharing teacher, to lead teacher.
- election: The UK has also provided substantial numbers of election observers through OSCE Election Observer Mission.
Browse dictionary entries near observer
- ‹ observed
- ‹ observe
- ‹ observatory
- ‹ observational
- ‹ observation post
- ‹ observation car
- ‹ observation
- ‹ observant
- ‹ observance
- ‹ observably

