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

• apparent
• seeable
• visible
• visual

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

Friday's lights should be observable between 11 p.m. Friday and 1 a.m. Saturday, though they can be seen up until about 3 a.m., according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. —Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 31 May 2024

Or whether deleting the molecule from an organism’s repertoire leads to some observable change in a trait? —Philip Ball, Scientific American, 14 May 2024

Annular solar eclipse visible in South America, with a partial eclipse observable in South America, Antarctica, Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and North America. —Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 3 Apr. 2024

But the observable universe is so large that there is not enough time for a photon to travel all the way across to equalize temperatures everywhere. —Kenneth Chang, New York Times, 3 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

observable

adjective

ob·​serv·​able əb-ˈzər-və-bəl 

: able to be observed : noticeable

observably

-blē 

adverb