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

• bystander
• onlooker
• spectator
• viewer
• watcher

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

Next year will be another one of dazzling sky shows and offer opportunities for forging deeper connections with astronomy, said Vanessa Alarcon, an astronomical observer at Griffith Observatory. —Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024

Richemont will also have the right to nominate a member and an observer to the Mytheresa board following the close of the deal, which is set for the first half of 2025. —Samantha Conti, WWD, 16 Dec. 2024

Instead of being about a bunch of observers helplessly tolerating their peculiar friend, the sketch became an absurd illustration of the way groupthink manifests. —Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 15 Dec. 2024

What is certain, observers say, is that Taiwan will have to pay more for its own defense and step up engagement with the Trump administration to shore up American support. —Wayne Chang, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

observe + -er entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing observer

• casual observer
• inter-observer