observant

1 of 2

adjective

ob·​ser·​vant əb-ˈzər-vənt 

1

a

: paying strict attention : watchful

an observant spectator

b

: keen, perceptive

observant of the mistakes of others

Good reporters are keenly observant of everything around them.

2

: careful in observing rites, laws, or customs : mindful

… pious and religiously observant families …

—Sidney Hook

always observant of the amenities

observantly adverb

observant

2 of 2

noun

obsolete

: an assiduous or obsequious servant or attendant

Synonyms of observant

Adjective

• alert
• vigilant
• awake
• watchful
• aware
• attentive
• careful

Examples of observant in a Sentence

Adjective

A particularly observant child, he noticed even the slightest changes in the classroom.

Good reporters are keenly observant of everything around them.

The family is strictly observant.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Our range includes a meandering cowboy odyssey that sprawls from a nowhere town in Texas to Big Sky country, a poignantly observant memoir from a wild child Dreamlander, and a careful dissection of a situationship set to the rhythms of 1970s Brazil. — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026

In the closing scene, just as the train approaches, Juggut climbs up to the rope and slashes it with his kirpan (the ceremonial sword carried by observant Sikhs). — Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026

Noun

Eliza Touchet is smart, funny, resilient, observant, and basically over it (but not quite). — Literary Hub, 7 May 2026

Mary Hartman was overwhelmed, polite, observant, and perpetually on the verge of collapse. — Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 5 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Latin observant-, observans, present participle of observāre "to give attention to, observe"

Noun

probably borrowed from French, "someone who observes a religious rule," noun derivative from present participle of observer "to observe"

First Known Use

Adjective

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1605, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for observant

• maidservant
• manservant
• fervent
• servant

Kids Definition

observant

adjective

ob·​ser·​vant

əb-ˈzər-vənt

1

: paying careful attention : watchful

2

: quick to observe : keen

3

: careful in observing : mindful

observantly adverb