observe
/əb'zə:v/
Definition
- Verb:
- To watch carefully and attentively: To notice or perceive something by direct visual or mental attention, often for a specific purpose such as study or analysis.
- To make a remark or comment: To state something as a comment or opinion based on what one has noticed.
- To follow or comply with: To act in accordance with a rule, law, custom, or tradition.
- To celebrate or commemorate: To mark or acknowledge a significant event, such as a holiday or anniversary, by performing a customary act.
Examples of Usage
- Verb:
- Astronomers use telescopes to observe distant galaxies. (To watch carefully)
- "The weather is changing," she observed. (To make a remark)
- All drivers must observe the speed limit. (To follow a rule)
- Many people observe a moment of silence on Remembrance Day. (To commemorate)
Advanced Usage
- "Observe that...": Used to introduce a comment or conclusion one has made.
- The report observes that consumer habits have shifted significantly.
- "Observed in the wild": A phrase commonly used in biology or natural sciences to describe behavior seen in an animal's natural habitat.
- This mating ritual has only been observed in the wild a handful of times.
Variants and Related Words
- Observation (n): The act of observing; a remark or comment.
- His keen observation of details made him an excellent detective.
- Observer (n): A person who observes.
- United Nations observers were sent to monitor the ceasefire.
- Observable (adj): Able to be seen or noticed.
- The effects of the drug are observable within minutes.
- Observant (adj): Quick to notice things; adhering strictly to rules or customs.
- She is very observant and notices every small change.
Synonyms
- Watch: To look at attentively over a period of time.
- Notice: To become aware of.
- Follow: To act according to (an instruction or rule).
- Remark: To say as a comment.
- Monitor: To watch and check over time.
Related Phrasal Verbs
(Note: "Observe" is not commonly used with particles to form phrasal verbs in the same way as other verbs. Its meanings are typically expressed directly.)
Related Idioms
- Observe a silence: To refrain from speaking for a period as a mark of respect.
- The crowd observed a two-minute silence for the victims.
- Observe the formalities: To follow the conventional rules of polite behavior.
- We should at least observe the formalities and send a thank-you note.
Verb
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conform one's action or practice to
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keep appointments
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she never keeps her promises
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We kept to the original conditions of the contract
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stick to correctly or closely
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The pianist kept time with the metronome
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keep count
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I cannot keep track of all my employees
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follow with the eyes or the mind
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Keep an eye on the baby, please!
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The world is watching Sarajevo
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She followed the men with the binoculars
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behave as expected during of holidays or rites
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Keep the commandments
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celebrate Christmas
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Observe Yom Kippur
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show respect towards
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honor your parents!
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watch attentively
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Please observe the reaction of these two chemicals
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observe with care or pay close attention to
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Take note of this chemical reaction
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make mention of
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She observed that his presentation took up too much time
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They noted that it was a fine day to go sailing
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discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
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She detected high levels of lead in her drinking water
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We found traces of lead in the paint
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