observe

UK: /əbˈzɜː^rv/ US: /əbˈzɝv/ ,(əb zûrv′)

Inflections of 'observe' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

observes

v 3rd person singular

observing

v pres p

observed

v past

observed

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ob•serve /əbˈzɜrv/   v., -served, -serv•ing. 

1. to see, watch, or notice: [~ + object]
   I observed a person dashing across the field.
   [no object]
   I'm just observing; I'm not participating.
2. to look at with attention: [~ + object]
   The scientists observed the eclipse.
   [no object]
   to observe and learn.
3. to state by way of comment;
   remark:
   [used with quotations] "You're simply not ready,'' he quietly observed.
4. to keep or maintain in one's action, conduct, etc.:
   [~ + object] to observe silence.
5. to obey, comply with, or conform to:
   [~ + object] to observe the law.
6. [~ + object] to celebrate, as a holiday, in a customary way.

ob•serv•er, n. [countable] See -serv-².

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ob•serve  (əb zûrv′), v., -served, -serv•ing. 
v.t. 

1. to see, watch, perceive, or notice:
   He observed the passersby in the street.
2. to regard with attention, esp. so as to see or learn something:
   I want you to observe her reaction to the judge's question.
3. to watch, view, or note for a scientific, official, or other special purpose:
   to observe an eclipse.
4. to state by way of comment; remark:
   He observed frequently that clerks were not as courteous as they used to be.
5. to keep or maintain in one's action, conduct, etc.:
   You must observe quiet.
6. to obey, comply with, or conform to:
   to observe laws.
7. to show regard for by some appropriate procedure, ceremony, etc.:
   to observe Palm Sunday.
8. to perform duly or solemnize (ceremonies, rites, etc.).
9. to note or inspect closely for an omen or sign of future events.

v.i. 

10. to notice.
11. to act as an observer.
12. to remark or comment (usually fol. by on or upon).

• Latin observāre to watch, regard, attend to, equivalent. to ob- ob- + servāre to keep, save, pay heed to
• Middle French observer
• Middle English observen 1350–1400

ob•serv•ed•ly  (əb zûr′vid lē), adv.  ob•serv′ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 2. note.
  Observe, witness imply paying strict attention to what one sees or perceives. Both are "continuative'' in action.
  To observe is to mark or be attentive to something seen, heard, etc.; to consider carefully; to watch steadily:
  to observe the behavior of birds, a person's pronunciation.
  To witness, formerly to be present when something was happening, has added the idea of having observed with sufficient care to be able to give an account as evidence:
  to witness an accident.
• 4. mention, say.
• 6. follow, fulfill.
• 7. celebrate, keep.

Antonyms

• 1. –3, 6–8. ignore.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

observe / əbˈzɜːv/ verb

1. (tr; may take a clause as object) to see; perceive; notice: I observed that he was trembling
2. (when tr, may take a clause as object) to watch (something) carefully; pay attention to (something)
3. to make observations of (something), esp scientific ones
4. when intr, usually followed by on or upon; when tr, may take a clause as object: to make a comment or remark: the speaker observed that times had changed
5. (transitive) to abide by, keep, or follow (a custom, tradition, law, holiday, etc)

Etymology: 14th Century: via Old French from Latin observāre, from ob- to + servāre to watch

obˈservable adjective