observable

adjective

ob·​serv·​able əb-ˈzər-və-bəl 

1

: noteworthy

2

: capable of being observed : discernible

observability

əb-ˌzər-və-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

observable noun

observably

əb-ˈzər-və-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• visible
• visual
• noticeable

Examples of observable in a Sentence

the size of the observable universe

scientists often work with phenomena that are not directly observable

Recent Examples on the Web

The key to embedding inclusion is tying it to your core values and mapping those values to specific, observable behaviors. —Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025

Thanks to the Unistellar sky catalog on the Unistellar app, there is a pre-generated list of objects that are observable in your location and sky area. —Harry Bennett, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2025

Who lacks any observable notion of grand strategy — that is, of a plausible plan to Keep America Great and achieve peace through strength. —Andreas Kluth, Twin Cities, 11 Sep. 2025

But rather than a linear scale, which would take several quintillions of Earths lined end-to-end to reach the limits of the observable Universe, a logarithmic scale holds far more cosmic insights to an onlooker. —Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 1 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

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