observant
1 of 2adjective
ob·ser·vant əb-ˈzər-vənt 
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
Sidney Hookalways observant of the amenities
observantly adverb
observant
2 of 2noun
obsolete
: an assiduous or obsequious servant or attendant
Synonyms
Adjective
- alert
- Argus-eyed
- attentive
- awake
- open-eyed
- tenty [Scottish]
- tentie
- vigilant
- watchful
- wide-awake
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective 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 on the Web Jourdain Searles, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Sep. 2022 Jones was quiet and observant, the type who preferred to feel her way into things and find her place. Lila Bromberg, Hartford Courant, 9 Sep. 2022 And Xan, a being at least as observant as my dad, had made an intense study of Robert auf der Horst: his personality, his habits, his sense of humor. André Alexis, The New Yorker, 13 June 2022 Giroud quotes observant comments from Latin America’s good and great to explain Padilla’s arrest and public contrition. John Hopewell, Variety, 31 Aug. 2022 And online interaction for educational purposes can make a student, an employee or employer, or anyone in search of interaction or information, more attentive and observant. Marc Berman, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2022 An observant Doc quietly warns Cameron not to cast his lustful eye on Mel because she's taken. Sara Netzley, EW.com, 20 July 2022 The tzitzit is a fringed garment worn by some religiously observant Jews. Dov Lieber, WSJ, 14 Aug. 2022 Their personalities contrasted, Maurice gregarious and devil-may-care, Katia quieter and observant; differences that carried over into their fieldwork. Henry Hullah, CNN, 28 July 2022 See More
Adjective
This enhances the film’s comedic tone, encouraging viewers to see the world through Birdy’s observant yet immature eyes. Jourdain Searles, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Sep. 2022 Jones was quiet and observant, the type who preferred to feel her way into things and find her place. Lila Bromberg, Hartford Courant, 9 Sep. 2022 And Xan, a being at least as observant as my dad, had made an intense study of Robert auf der Horst: his personality, his habits, his sense of humor. André Alexis, The New Yorker, 13 June 2022 Giroud quotes observant comments from Latin America’s good and great to explain Padilla’s arrest and public contrition. John Hopewell, Variety, 31 Aug. 2022 And online interaction for educational purposes can make a student, an employee or employer, or anyone in search of interaction or information, more attentive and observant. Marc Berman, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2022 An observant Doc quietly warns Cameron not to cast his lustful eye on Mel because she's taken. Sara Netzley, EW.com, 20 July 2022 The tzitzit is a fringed garment worn by some religiously observant Jews. Dov Lieber, WSJ, 14 Aug. 2022 Their personalities contrasted, Maurice gregarious and devil-may-care, Katia quieter and observant; differences that carried over into their fieldwork. Henry Hullah, CNN, 28 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
Adjective
1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun
1605, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
observant
adjective
ob·ser·vant əb-ˈzər-vənt
: quick to take notice : watchful, alert
observant
adjective
1
as in alert
paying close attention usually for the purpose of anticipating approaching danger or opportunity if you were more observant, you would perceive that something is troubling her deeply Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- alert
- vigilant
- awake
- watchful
- aware
- attentive
- careful
- cautious
- regardful
- wary
- alive
- on guard
- sensitive
- conscious
- prepared
- open-eyed
- on tiptoe
- keen
- mindful
- cognizant
- wide-awake
- observing
- tentie
- tenty
- Argus-eyed
- heedful
- on the ball
- on the alert
- wakeful
- hypervigilant
- on the qui vive
- sharp-eyed
- sleepless
- on one's toes
- chary
- hyperalert
- ready
- sharp
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- oblivious
- unaware
- distracted
- absent
- preoccupied
- absorbed
- engrossed
- careless
- dazed
- dreamy
- unconscious
- dreaming
- asleep
- inattentive
- absentminded
- unwitting
- heedless
- sleeping
- unknowing
- abstracted
- insensible
- unmindful
- unthinking
- unwary
- unprepared
- daydreaming
- faraway
- unready
- unheeding
2
as in focused
having the mind fixed on something observant viewers will notice that the position of hero's facial wound changes in the course of the scene Synonyms & Similar Words
- focused
- immersed
- absorbed
- interested
- attentive
- engrossed
- rapt
- enthralled
- engaged
- intent
- intrigued
- all ears
- focussed
- watchful
- involved
- deep
- conscious
- alert
- mesmerized
- hypnotized
- open-eyed
- alive
- wide-awake
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- inattentive
- distracted
- absent
- absentminded
- oblivious
- preoccupied
- unfocused
- abstracted
- unabsorbed
- disinterested
- dreamy
- inobservant
- remote
- unfocussed
- foggy
- uninterested
- hazy
- lost
- apathetic
- daydreaming
- faraway