observeverb [ T ]
uk/əbˈzɜːv/us/əbˈzɝːv/observe verb [ T ] (WATCH)
B2 formal to watch carefully the way something happens or the way someone does something, especially in order to learn more about it:
The role of scientists is to observe and describe the world, not to try to control it.
[ + question word ] He spent a year in the jungle, observing how deforestation is affecting local tribes.
Children learn by observing adults.
More examples
- In Istanbul, East and West fuse together in a way that is fascinating to observe.
- The satellite will observe objects that are particularly interesting astronomically.
- Some scientists believe that there is about ten times as much matter in the universe as astronomers have observed.
- The research project has been observing changes in the local population.
- Security guards are able to observe the car park using CCTV.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Using the eyes
- before your very eyes idiom
- beheld
- bore
- breathe
- come to sb's attention/notice idiom
- dart
- eye
- feast
- gawk
- get a load of that! idiom
- get him, her, you, etc.! idiom
- keep tabs on sth/sb idiom
- look-see
- observational
- out of/from the corner of your eye idiom
- passer-by
- rest
- sneak
- squint
- visual
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observe verb [ T ] (NOTICE)
C1 formal to notice or see:
Jack observed a look of anxiety on his brother's face.
[ + question word ] The guards failed to observe who delivered the package.
[ + that ] In all these films one observes that directors are taking a new interest in Native American culture.
[ + infinitive without to ] A teacher observed her climb over the gate.
More examples
- Did you observe the make of the vehicle?
- The inspectors observed some irregularities in his tax return.
- Did you observe anything unusual about his appearance?
- Scientists have been observing variations in the thickness of the ozone layer.
- She observed a parking space next to the entrance to the building.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Using the eyes
- before your very eyes idiom
- beheld
- bore
- breathe
- come to sb's attention/notice idiom
- dart
- eye
- feast
- gawk
- get a load of that! idiom
- get him, her, you, etc.! idiom
- keep tabs on sth/sb idiom
- look-see
- observational
- out of/from the corner of your eye idiom
- passer-by
- rest
- sneak
- squint
- visual
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observe verb [ T ] (SAY)
formal to make a remark about something:
[ + speech ] "I've always found German cars very reliable," he observed.
[ + that ] She observed that it would soon be time to stop for lunch.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Saying & uttering
- (your) every word idiom
- add
- come
- come out with sth
- every
- fall
- find your voice idiom
- floor
- get sth in
- in words of one syllable idiom
- in your own words idiom
- misspeak
- mouth
- phrase
- speak
- string
- text
- think
- use
- utterance
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observe verb [ T ] (OBEY)
C2 formal to obey a law, rule, or custom:
People must observe the law. Nobody should be an exception.
The old people in the village still observe the local traditions.
Do you observe Passover?
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Obeying & breaking the law
- abide
- adhere
- afoul
- bend the law/rules idiom
- breach
- break
- breaker
- clean
- clean up your act idiom
- commit
- compliant
- conform
- contravene
- disobey
- hold
- law-abiding
- perpetrate
- respect
- venal
- violate
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Custom, tradition & conformity
observable
adjective uk/əbˈzɜː.və.bəl/us/əbˈzɝː.və.bəl/
There's no observable connection between the two events.
observably
adverb uk/əbˈzɜː.və.bli/us/əbˈzɝː.və.bli/