observant

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adjective ob·ser·vant \ əb-ˈzər-vənt \

Definition of observant

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

See observant defined for English-language learners

See observant defined for kids

Examples of observant in a Sentence

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 of observant from the Web

In the early 1960s, Gregory had established himself as one of America's smartest and most observant comedians.

— chris foran, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Comedian and activist Dick Gregory helped lead Milwaukee's civil rights fights," 20 Aug. 2017
Colbert, who is 53, was born in Washington, D.C., and raised in South Carolina, the youngest of 11 kids in a deeply observant Catholic family.

— scott feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Awards Chatter' Podcast — Stephen Colbert ('The Late Show with Stephen Colbert')," 19 Aug. 2017
The observant Apple analyst Toni Sacconaghi of Bernstein Research put out a pointed note Monday about Apple’s growing services business.

— andrew nusca, Fortune, "Data Sheet: Apple Profits, Intel and Trump, Pandora CEO, Uber vs. Benchmark," 15 Aug. 2017
An observant neighbor and a gate left ajar led to the arrest of a suspected burglar in Rocklin.

— cathy locke, sacbee, "Alert neighbor, open gate lead to arrest in Rocklin burglary," 14 Aug. 2017
KYHS families are Shomer Shabbat (Sabbath-observant) and do not write, drive or use electronics on the weekly Jewish Sabbath.

— randall p. lieberman, Jewish Journal, "Katz Yeshiva High moving to new facility in west Boca," 2 Aug. 2017
Adams, son of the second president, and sixth president himself, was smart, omnivorous, observant, bitchy, and hilarious (though always unintentionally).

— nr symposium, National Review, "It’s Summer, Time to Catch Up on Your Reading — A Symposium," 31 July 2017
Marvel/Sony Smart, observant world-building lays the groundwork long before the big reveal.

— joshua rivera, GQ, "The Genius of Spider-Man: Homecoming's Big Twist," 12 July 2017
Weisberg said most people don't understand the lifestyle of observant couples.

— kala kachmar, USA TODAY, "New Jersey welfare fraud arrests spark anti-Semitic sentiment," 3 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'observant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of observant

1599

observant Synonyms

Synonyms

Argus-eyed, attentive, awake, alert, open-eyed, tenty (also tentie) [Scottish], vigilant, watchful, wide-awake

Antonyms

asleep

Related Words

alive, aware, conscious, sensitive; cognizant, heedful, keen, mindful, observing, regardful, sharp, sharp-eyed; hyperalert, hypervigilant, sleepless, wakeful; careful, cautious, chary, wary; prepared, ready

Near Antonyms

absent, absentminded, absorbed, abstracted, daydreaming, dazed, distracted, dreaming, dreamy, engrossed, faraway, insensible, oblivious, preoccupied; sleeping, unaware, unconscious, unknowing, unwitting; careless, heedless, inattentive, unheeding, unmindful, unthinking, unwary; unprepared, unready

observant

noun

Definition of observant

obsolete

:an assiduous or obsequious servant or attendant

First Known Use of observant

1605

OBSERVANT Defined for English Language Learners

observant

play

adjective

Definition of observant for English Language Learners

: good at watching and listening : good at noticing what is going on around you
: careful to follow religious teachings or customs

OBSERVANT Defined for Kids

observant

play

adjective ob·ser·vant \ əb-ˈzər-vənt \

Definition of observant for Students

:quick to take notice :watchful, alert

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observantly

adverb

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See words that rhyme with observant Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for observant Spanish Central: Translation of observant Nglish: Translation of observant for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of observant for Arabic speakers

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Examples of observant in a Sentence

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First Known Use of observant

observant Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

observant

Definition of observant

First Known Use of observant

OBSERVANT Defined for English Language Learners

observant

Definition of observant for English Language Learners

OBSERVANT Defined for Kids

observant

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observantly

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