observer

noun

ob·​serv·​er əb-ˈzər-vər 

: one that observes: such as

a

: a representative sent to observe but not participate officially in an activity (such as a meeting or war)

b

: an expert analyst and commentator in a particular field

political observers

Synonyms of observer

• spectator
• viewer

Examples of observer in a Sentence

According to one observer, the event was poorly organized.

The star is not visible to an observer without a telescope.

According to one military observer, this change comes after years of planning.

Observers say the economy is improving.

The class has an observer today, so please be on your best behavior.

Recent Examples on the Web

Another is to orient the satellites' components so that observers on the ground do not see the sunlit sides. —Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 25 Jan. 2026

With the moon out of the way and the radiant high in the sky by mid-evening, observers could see more than 100 meteors per hour. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026

But despite Noem's claims, multiple videos by bystanders and observers at the scene of the shooting published on social media appear to tell a different story. —Yun Li, CNBC, 24 Jan. 2026

Another angle of federal agents killing a Minnesota legal observer, which appears to come from the direction of the woman in pink filming from the sidewalk. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 24 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

observe + -er entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing observer

• casual observer
• inter-observer

Rhymes for observer

• preserver
• fervor
• fervour
• server