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

That study also included a separate group of participants who showed observable, external signs of awareness. —Mariana Lenharo & Nature Magazine, Scientific American, 6 Aug. 2025

The company’s momentum is particularly observable in its most recent quarter, during which revenue surged by an accelerated 32% to $1.4 billion. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Another possibility is that a collision with a micrometeorite produced an observable spark and radio signal, though these flashes, too, are typically longer than the burst observed by the team. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 26 June 2025

AIOps monitors and responds to infrastructure patterns that, while complex, follow observable patterns. —Shailesh Manjrekar, Forbes.com, 24 July 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