observable

1 of 2

adjective

ob·​serv·​able əb-ˈzər-və-bəl 

1

: noteworthy

the trend is observable all over the country

2

: capable of being observed : discernible

the size of the observable universe

observability

əb-ˌzər-və-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

observable noun

observably

əb-ˈzər-və-blē 

adverb

observability

2 of 2

noun

ob·​serv·​abil·​i·​ty əbˌzərvəˈbilətē 

-zə̄v-, 

-zəiv-, 

-lətē, 

-i

: capacity for or possibility of being observed

Synonyms of observable

Adjective

• visible
• visual
• noticeable

Examples of observable in a Sentence

Adjective

the size of the observable universe

scientists often work with phenomena that are not directly observable

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The event will be so luminous that it could be detected halfway across the observable universe. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026

What is observable is that the major providers are pricing into a land grab, ahead of profitability, against very large capital commitments. — Sanjay Srivastava, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Putin will eventually leave office, whether by death, illness, or—against all observable inclinations—stepping aside. — Julian G. Waller, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026

DroiClaw aims to create a secure, controllable, and observable AI agent ecosystem by giving users greater oversight of how agents operate. — New Atlas, 23 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "that must or can be observed," borrowed from Latin observābilis "capable of being observed," from observāre "to give attention to, watch carefully, observe" + -bilis "capable (of acting) or worthy of (being acted upon)" — more at -able

First Known Use

Adjective

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for observable

• unobservable

Kids Definition

observable

adjective

ob·​serv·​able əb-ˈzər-və-bəl 

: able to be observed : noticeable

observably

-blē 

adverb