observe
/əbˈzɜːv/ IELTSAcademic
verb
- 1.
To watch or notice something carefully. It often means paying close attention to details or behavior.
- Scientists observe the experiment closely.
- She observed his reaction quietly.
- 2.
To see or comment on something formally. It is often used in meetings, reports, or polite speech.
- He observed that the results were surprising.
- The teacher observed that the class was improving.
- 3.
To follow a rule, law, custom, or holiday. This use is common in formal writing.
- We observe safety rules at work.
- Many families observe Diwali at home.
Adinary Nuance
Observe is more formal than watch or look at. Use observe when you mean careful noticing, especially in writing, science, or official speech. It can also mean to state something politely or to follow a rule or custom. Compared with notice, observe suggests more deliberate attention.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- quan sát
- Spanish
- observar
- Chinese
- 观察
- Japanese
- 観察する
- Korean
- 관찰하다
Etymology
Observe comes from Latin observare, meaning 'watch' or 'pay attention to'. It entered English through Old French in the Middle Ages.
Common phrases
observe carefullyobserve a ruleobserve a holidayobserve from a distance
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is observe formal or informal?
- Observe is usually formal or semi-formal. It sounds natural in academic, scientific, and official writing.
- What is the difference between observe and notice?
- Notice means you become aware of something. Observe suggests more careful and deliberate attention.
- Can observe mean follow a rule?
- Yes. You can observe a rule, law, or custom when you obey or follow it.
- How do I use observe in a sentence?
- You can say, “I observed the meeting closely,” or “We observe this festival every year.”