observant

1 of 2

adjective

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

always observant of the amenities

observantly adverb

observant

2 of 2

noun

obsolete

: an assiduous or obsequious servant or attendant

Synonyms

Adjective

• alert
• Argus-eyed
• attentive
• awake
• open-eyed
• tenty [Scottish]
• tentie
• vigilant
• watchful
• wide-awake

Examples of observant in a Sentence

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

Adjective

And Heller, a confidently empathetic director who can make an observant frame feel like a hug, wisely avoids traps like demonizing the child (winningly played by twins Emmett and Arleigh Snowden) or setting up McNairy’s hapless dad simply to be a marital punchline. —Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024

Ko belongs to a group of observant Jews who came together for prayer after October 7th, feeling out of step with Jewish institutions. —Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024

Noun

Jewish residents moving to the Boynton Beach area do not all abide by these kosher laws; the observant are only a small percentage, less than 2%, according to a 2018 survey by the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County. —Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2024

Small and observant, Mars lived with her parents and extended kin in a Victorian house with a library and a piano, around which the family gathered to sing show tunes. —Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Latin observant-, observans, present participle of observāre "to give attention to, observe"

Noun

probably borrowed from French, "someone who observes a religious rule," noun derivative from present participle of observer "to observe"

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

1

: paying careful attention : watchful

2

: quick to observe : keen

3

: careful in observing : mindful

observantly adverb