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

Now Good's death is set to be turned into another political football with the Land of 10,000 Lakes once again being the possible ground zero of civil unrest ahead of a critical election, political observers say. —Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026

While many observers compare the craft to a large drone, the internal physics and safety systems are much more complex. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026

International observers from the Carter Center and the Colombian Electoral Observation Mission found the results to be legitimate. —Flora Charner, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026

Finally, eagle-eyed observers may also notice the seven most prominent white-blue stars of the Pleiades open star cluster appear to the upper left of the screen towards the end of the footage to descend toward the modular form of the ISS. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 10 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