observe

ob·serve

 (əb-zûrv′)

v. ob·served, ob·serv·ing, ob·serves

v.tr.

1.

a. To be or become aware of, especially through careful and directed attention; notice: observed a car leaving the property.

b. To watch attentively: observe a child's behavior.

c. To make a systematic or scientific observation of: observe the orbit of a comet.

2. To say casually; remark: "'It's nice to have somebody to wait on you,' she observed, with a laugh" (Upton Sinclair).

3.

a. To adhere to or abide by; comply with: observe the terms of a contract.

b. To act in acknowledgment of (a holiday, for example); keep or celebrate: observe an anniversary.

c. To maintain (silence or a period of silence), as out of respect for someone who has died.

v.intr.

1. To take notice: stood by the window observing.

2. To say something; make a comment or remark: observed upon the unusual weather.

3. To watch or be present without participating actively: We were invited to the conference solely to observe.

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[Middle English observen, to conform to, from Old French observer, from Latin observāre, to abide by, watch : ob-, over; see ob- + servāre, to keep, watch; see ser- in Indo-European roots.]

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ob·serv′ing·ly adv.

Synonyms: observe, keep, celebrate, commemorate, solemnize
These verbs mean to give proper heed to or show proper reverence for something, such as a custom or holiday. Observe and keep stress compliance or respectful adherence to that which is prescribed: observes the Sabbath; keeps the holiday traditions. Celebrate emphasizes observance in the form of rejoicing or festivity: a surprise party to celebrate her birthday. To commemorate is to honor the memory of a past event: a ceremony that commemorated the career of a physician. Solemnize implies dignity and gravity in the celebration of an occasion: solemnized the funeral with a 21-gun salute. See Also Synonyms at see¹.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

observe

(əbˈzɜːv)

vb

1. (tr; may take a clause as object) to see; perceive; notice: we have observed that you steal.

2. (when tr, may take a clause as object) to watch (something) carefully; pay attention to (something)

3. to make observations of (something), esp scientific ones

4. (when: intr, usually foll by on or upon; when tr, may take a clause as object) to make a comment or remark: the speaker observed that times had changed.

5. (tr) to abide by, keep, or follow (a custom, tradition, law, holiday, etc)

[C14: via Old French from Latin observāre, from ob- to + servāre to watch]

obˈservable adj

obˈservableness, obˌservaˈbility n

obˈservably adv

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

ob•serve

(əbˈzɜrv)

v. -served, -serv•ing. v.t.

1. to see, watch, or notice.

2. to regard with attention, esp. so as to see or learn something.

3. to watch, view, or note for a scientific, official, or other special purpose: to observe an eclipse.

4. to state by way of comment; remark.

5. to keep or maintain in one's action, conduct, etc.: to observe quiet.

6. to obey, comply with, or conform to: to observe laws.

7. to celebrate, as a holiday, in an appropriate way.

8. to perform duly or solemnize (ceremonies, rites, etc.).

9. to note or inspect closely, as for an omen.

v.i.

10. to notice.

11. to act as an observer.

12. to remark or comment (usu. fol. by on or upon).

[1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French observer < Latin observāre to watch, regard =ob- ob- + servāre to keep, save, pay heed to]

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

observe

Past participle: observed
Gerund: observing

Imperative

observe

observe

Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011

Thesaurus

Verb	1.	observe - discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of; "She detected high levels of lead in her drinking water"; "We found traces of lead in the paint" detect, discover, notice, find catch out, find out - trap; especially in an error or in a reprehensible act; "He was caught out"; "She was found out when she tried to cash the stolen checks" discover, find - make a discovery, make a new finding; "Roentgen discovered X-rays"; "Physicists believe they found a new elementary particle" sense - detect some circumstance or entity automatically; "This robot can sense the presence of people in the room"; "particle detectors sense ionization" instantiate - find an instance of (a word or particular usage of a word); "The linguists could not instantiate this sense of the noun that he claimed existed in a certain dialect" trace - discover traces of; "She traced the circumstances of her birth" see - observe as if with an eye; "The camera saw the burglary and recorded it" sight, spy - catch sight of; to perceive with the eyes; "he caught sight of the king's men coming over the ridge"
	2.	observe - make mention of; "She observed that his presentation took up too much time"; "They noted that it was a fine day to go sailing" note, remark, mention say, state, tell - express in words; "He said that he wanted to marry her"; "tell me what is bothering you"; "state your opinion"; "state your name" comment, point out, remark, notice - make or write a comment on; "he commented the paper of his colleague"
	3.	observe - observe with care or pay close attention to; "Take note of this chemical reaction" take note, note
	4.	observe - watch attentively; "Please observe the reaction of these two chemicals" bird, birdwatch - watch and study birds in their natural habitat watch - look attentively; "watch a basketball game" monitor, supervise - keep tabs on; keep an eye on; keep under surveillance; "we are monitoring the air quality"; "the police monitor the suspect's moves" monitor - check, track, or observe by means of a receiver reconnoiter, reconnoitre, scout - explore, often with the goal of finding something or somebody track - observe or plot the moving path of something; "track a missile"
	5.	observe - show respect towards; "honor your parents!" abide by, honor, honour, respect accept - consider or hold as true; "I cannot accept the dogma of this church"; "accept an argument" lionise, lionize, celebrate - assign great social importance to; "The film director was celebrated all over Hollywood"; "The tenor was lionized in Vienna" tolerate - recognize and respect (rights and beliefs of others); "We must tolerate the religions of others"
	6.	observe - behave as expected during of holidays or rites; "Keep the commandments"; "celebrate Christmas"; "Observe Yom Kippur" celebrate, keep commemorate, mark - mark by some ceremony or observation; "The citizens mark the anniversary of the revolution with a march and a parade" mourn - observe the customs of mourning after the death of a loved one solemnise, solemnize - observe or perform with dignity or gravity; "The King solemnized this day of morning"
	7.	observe - follow with the eyes or the mind; "Keep an eye on the baby, please!"; "The world is watching Sarajevo"; "She followed the men with the binoculars" keep an eye on, watch over, watch, follow check, check into, check out, check over, check up on, suss out, look into, go over - examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition; "check the brakes"; "Check out the engine" trace, follow - follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something; "We must follow closely the economic development is Cuba" ; "trace the student's progress" keep tabs on - keep a record on or watch attentively; "The government keeps tabs on the dissidents" guard - to keep watch over; "there would be men guarding the horses" invigilate, proctor - watch over (students taking an exam, to prevent cheating)
	8.	observe - stick to correctly or closely; "The pianist kept time with the metronome"; "keep count"; "I cannot keep track of all my employees" keep, maintain
	9.	observe - conform one's action or practice to; "keep appointments"; "she never keeps her promises"; "We kept to the original conditions of the contract" keep make good - act as promised; "make good on promises"

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

observe

verb

1. watch, study, view, look at, note, check, regard, survey, monitor, contemplate, check out (informal), look on, keep an eye on (informal), gaze at, pay attention to, keep track of, scrutinize, keep tabs on (informal), recce (slang), keep under observation, watch like a hawk, take a dekko at (Brit. slang) He studies and observes the behaviour of babies.

2. notice, see, note, mark, discover, spot, regard, witness, clock (Brit. slang), distinguish, perceive, detect, discern, behold (archaic or literary), eye, eyeball (slang), peer at, espy, get a load of (informal) In 1664 Hooke observed a reddish spot on the surface of the planet.

3. remark, say, comment, state, note, reflect, mention, declare, opine, pass comment, animadvert `I like your hair that way,' he observed.

4. comply with, keep, follow, mind, respect, perform, carry out, honour, fulfil, discharge, obey, heed, conform to, adhere to, abide by Forcing motorists to observe speed restrictions is difficult.
comply with ignore, overlook, neglect, violate, disregard

5. celebrate, keep, commemorate, mark, remember, participate in, solemnize We are observing Christmas quietly this year.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

observe

verb

1. To perceive with a special effort of the senses or the mind:

descry, detect, discern, distinguish, mark, mind, note, notice, remark, see.

2. To look at or on attentively or carefully:

eye, regard, scrutinize, survey, watch.

Idioms: have one's eye on, keep tabs on.

3. To state facts, opinions, or explanations:

comment, note, remark.

4. To act in conformity with:

abide by, adhere, carry out, comply, conform, follow, keep, mind, obey.

Idiom: toe the line.

5. To mark (a day or an event) with ceremonies of respect, festivity, or rejoicing:

celebrate, commemorate, keep, solemnize.

The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Translations

يُراقِبيُطيع، يُراعي، يُحافِظ على القَوانينيُعَلِّق، يُبْدي مُلاحَظَهيُلَاحِظُيُلاحِظ

pozorovat

bemærkeiagttagelægge mærke tilobservereoverholde

beobachtenwahrnehmenbefolgenbemerken

παρατηρώ

observarguardarrespetarseñalarver

havainnoidaobservoidatarkkailla

observerremarquerremplirrespectersignaler

promatrati

betartészlel

fylgja, hlÿîasegja, verîa aî orîiskoðataka eftirveita athygli

osservareosservatorioosservazionepercepirepunto

観察する認める守る

관찰하다

observatorijapastabussekimasstebėjimas

ievērotpiezīmēt, piebilstvērot, sekot ar skatienu

in acht nemenobserverenopmerkenrespecterenvolgen

observereoverholdeiaktta

zauważyć

observar

наблюдатьзаметить

opazovatipripomniti

observeraiaktta

สังเกต

farketmekgözlemekgözlemlemekitaat etmeksöylemek

quan sát

观察评述遵守注意到

observe

[əbˈzɜːv] VT

1. (= see, notice) → observar, ver
I observed him steal the duck → vi cómo robaba el pato

2. (= watch carefully, study) → observar, mirar; [+ suspect] → vigilar
now observe this closely → ahora fijaos bien en esto

3. (= remark) → observar, comentar
"it looks like rain" - he observed → -parece que va a llover -observó or comentó él
I observed to him that → le hice observar que ...
as Jeeves observed → como observó Jeeves

4. (= obey) [+ rule, custom] → observar; [+ Sabbath, silence] → guardar
failure to observe the law → incumplimiento m de la ley

5. [+ anniversary] → celebrar

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

observe

[əbˈzɜː^rv] vt

(= watch) → observer

(= see) → observer
to observe that ... → observer que ...

(= remark) → observer

(= obey) [+ rule, limit] → observer

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

observe

vt

(= see, notice) → beobachten, bemerken; difference, change → beobachten, wahrnehmen; did you actually observe him do it? → haben Sie ihn wirklich dabei beobachtet?; the thief was observed to … → der Dieb wurde dabei beobachtet, wie er …

(= watch carefully, study) → beobachten; (by police) → überwachen

(= remark) → bemerken, feststellen, äußern

(= obey) → achten auf (+acc); rule, custom, ceasefire, Sabbath → einhalten; anniversary etc → begehen, feiern; to observe a minute’s silence or a moment’s silence (US) → eine Schweigeminute einlegen; failure to observe the law → ein Verstoß m → gegen das Gesetz

vi

(= watch) → zusehen; (= act as an observer) → beobachten

(= remark) → bemerken, feststellen (→ on zu, über +acc); you were about to observe …? → Sie wollten gerade sagen …?

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

observe

[əbˈzɜːv] vt → osservare

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

observe

(əbˈzəːv) verb

1. to notice. I observed her late arrival. opmerk , waarneem, sien يُلاحِظ забелязвам notar zaznamenat bemerken bemærke; lægge mærke til αντιλαμβάνομαι, προσέχωobservar, notar tähele panema متوجه شدن huomata remarquer לְהַבחִין देखना uočiti észrevesz memperhatikan taka eftir notare ～に気がつく 알아채다 pastebėti ievērot nampak opmerkenlegge merke tilspostrzec متوجه كيدل reparar em a remarca замечать všimnúť si opaziti primetiti lägga märke till, uppmärksamma สังเกต farketmek 注意到 примічати, помічати محوس کرنا theo dõi 注意到

2. to watch carefully. She observed his actions with interest. waarneem, observeer يُراقِب наблюдавам observar pozorovat beobachten iagttage παρατηρώ προσεκτικά observar, ver jälgima با توجه نگریستن tarkkailla observer לִצפּוֹת अवलोकन करना promatrati (meg)figyel mengawasi veita athygli osservare 観察する 관찰하다 stebėti, sekti vērot, sekot ar skatienu memperhatikan gadeslaaniaktta, observereobserwować په غور سره كتل observar a observa, a urmări наблюдать, следить pozorovať opazovati posmatrati iaktta เฝ้าดู gözlemek 觀察 спостерігати; стежити مشاہدہ کرنا sát sao 观察

3. to obey. We must observe the rules. nakom يُطيع، يُراعي، يُحافِظ على القَوانين подчинявам acatar zachovávat befolgen overholde υπακούω, τηρώcumplir, respetar järgima رعایت کردن noudattaa observer לְקָייֵם नियमों का पालन करना slušati, pridržavati se betart mematuhi fylgja, hlÿða osservare, rispettare 従う 지키다 laikytis, gerbti, švęsti ievērot (likumus) mematuhi in acht nemenoverholdeprzestrzegać مراعات كول acatar a res­pecta соблюдать zachovávať držati se poštovati iaktta, följa, efterleva ยินยอมทำตาม itaat etmek 遵守 дотримуватися اطاعت کرنا، بجالانا tuân theo 遵守

4. to make a remark. `It's a lovely day', he observed. opmerk يُعَلِّق، يُبْدي مُلاحَظَه отбелязвам comentar poznamenat bemerken bemærke σχολιάζω, παρατηρώseñalar märkima اظهار کردن huomauttaa faire observer לְהָעִיר अपना मत व्यक्त करना napomenuti megjegyez berkomentar segja, verða að orði osservare 述べる 진술하다 pasakyti, pareikšti piezīmēt, piebilst katanya opmerkenbemerke, sizauważyć بيانول comentar a remarca заметить poznamenať pripomniti opaziti konstatera ออกความเห็น söylemek 評述 робити зауваження رائے دينا nhận xét 评述

obˈservance noun

1. the act of obeying rules etc. the observance of the law. eerbiediging مُراعاة القَوانين съблюдаване obediência dodržování das Befolgen overholdelse τήρηση κανόνων, υπακοήobservancia, cumplimiento kuulekus رعایت noudattaminen observation לְקָייֵם सामाजिक, धार्मिक, नैतिक रीति पालन pridržavanje, obdržavanje betartás kepatuhan það að virða reglur osservanza, rispetto 順守 준수 laikymasis ievērošana amalan mematuhi nalevingoverholdelseprzestrzeganie رعايت obediência respectare соблюдение dodržiavanie spoštovanje poštovanje iakttagande, efterlevnad การปฏิบัติตาม itaat 遵守，奉行 додержання تعميل، پابندي sự tuân theo 遵守，奉行

2. the act of observing (a tradition etc). the observance of religious holidays. viering, nakoming مُحافظَه على التَّقاليد أو الشَّعائِر спазване observância zachovávání, slavení das Befolgen overholdelse τήρησηobservancia järgimine برگزاری vietto observanceשמירה विधि, रीति, रिवाज़, रस्म का पालन obdržavanje megtartás perhatian það að virða (hefðir) osservanza, rispetto 守ること 경축, 의식 šventimas ievērošana; svinēšana; atzīmēšana amalan eerbiediging helligholdelse obchodzenie لمانځل observância păstrare празднование slávenie upoštevanje poštovanje firande พิธีกรรมทางศาสนา kutlama 慣例，紀念 повага, пошана بجا آوري، تعميل lễ kỷ niệm 惯例，纪念

obˈservant adjective

quick to notice. An observant boy remembered the car's registration number. oplettend, opmerksaam دَقيق المُلاحَظَه наблюдател atento pozorný aufmerksam opmærksom παρατηρητικόςobservador tähelepanelik تیز بین tarkkaavainen observateur בַּעַל עַיִן בּוֹחֶנֶת प्रेक्षक pozoran, pomnjiv figyelmes, jó megfigyelő jeli athugull attento, perspicace 注意深い 지각력이 예민한 pastabus vērīgs tajam daya pemerhatian oplettendoppmerksom, observantspostrzegawczy د ښى حافظى درلودونكى،هوشيار atento cu spirit de observaţie наблюдательный pozorný ki dobro opazuje; pazljiv koji dobro zapaža observant, uppmärksam ช่างสังเกต dikkatli 觀察力敏銳的 спостережливий; уважний بيدار دماغ، باريک بيں tinh mắt 观察力敏锐的

ˌobserˈvation (ob-) noun

1. the act of noticing or watching. She is in hospital for observation. waarneming مُراقَبَه наблюдение observação pozorování die Beobachtung observation παρατήρηση, παρακολούθησηobservación vaatlus مراقبت؛ توجه tarkkailu observation, surveillanceהתבוננות अवलोकन promatranje megfigyelés penelitian eftirlit osservazione 観察 관찰 stebėjimas, sekimas novērošana pemerhatian observatieiakttakelse, observasjonobserwacja مراقبت،غور observação observaţie, supraveghere наблюдение pozorovanie opazovanje posmatranje observation, iakttagelse การสังเกต gözlem 觀察 спостерігання; нагляд مشاہدہ sự theo dõi 观察

2. a remark. opmerking, aanmerking مُلاحَظَه забележка comentário postřeh die Bemerkung bemærkning παρατήρηση, σχόλιοobservación, comentario märkus اظهار نظر huomautus observationהערה टिप्पणी napomena, zapažanje megjegyzés komentar athugasemd osservazione 発言 의견, 비평 pastaba piezīme komen opmerkingbemerkninguwaga د نظر څرګندونه comentário observaţie замечание postreh pripomba opaska anmärkning, yttrande การกล่าว söz 評述 зауваження تبصرہ lời nhận xét 评述

obˈservatory – plural obˈservatories – noun

a place for observing and studying the stars, weather etc. observatorium مَرْصَد обсерватория observatório observatoř das Observatorium observatorium αστεροσκοπείοobservatorio observatoorium رصدخانه observatorio observatoireמצפה वेधशाला opservatorij, promatračnica obszervatórium observatorium (stjörnu)athugunarstöð osservatorio 観測所 관측소, 천문대 observatorija observatorija balai cerap sterrenwachtobservatoriumobserwatorium د نجوم او هوا پيژندنى مركز observatório observator (astronomic) обсерватория observatórium opazovalnica opservatorija observatorium หอสังเกตการณ์ rasathane, gözlem evi 天文台 обсерваторія رصد گاہ đài thiên văn 天文台

obˈserver noun

a person who observes. waarnemer مُراقِب наблюдател observador pozorovatel, -ka der/die Beobachter(in) observatør παρατηρητήςobservador vaatleja ناظر؛ مراقب tarkkailija observateur/-trice צופה प्रेक्षक, पर्यवेक्षक promatrač (meg)figyelő pengamat athugandi, skoðandi osservatore, osservatrice 観測者 관찰자 stebėtojas, apžvalgininkas novērotājs; komentētājs pemerhati waarnemeriakttaker, observatørobserwator پام ساتونكى،ناظر observador ob­ser­vator наблюдатель; обозреватель pozorovateľ, -ka opazovalec posmatrač observatör, iakttagare ผู้สังเกตการณ์ gözlemci 觀測者 спостерігач; оглядач مشاہد người quan sát 观测者

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.

observe

→ يُلَاحِظُ pozorovat observere beobachten παρατηρώ observar tarkkailla observer promatrati osservare 観察する 관찰하다 observeren observere zauważyć observar наблюдать observera สังเกต gözlemlemek quan sát 观察

Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009

observe

v. observar, estudiar, examinar;

___ standard procedures → ___ procedimientos estándar.

English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012