observe
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to watch someone or something carefully, often to learn something new.
to watch or monitor something with attention to detail, often for scientific or investigative purposes.
Simple“The scientists stayed up all night to observe the behavior of the birds.”
In context“Researchers spent several months in the field to observe how the local wolf population interacted with neighboring packs during the winter.”
UsageOften used with a direct object or a 'that' clause.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
to obey a law, a rule, or a religious custom.
to comply with or adhere to a law, regulation, or religious tradition.
Simple“Drivers must observe the speed limit to keep the roads safe.”
In context“The company failed to observe the safety regulations, resulting in a significant fine from the environmental protection agency.”
UsageTransitive; takes a direct object representing the rule or law.
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
to mark or celebrate a special day, like a holiday.
to acknowledge or celebrate a holiday, anniversary, or significant event through traditional practices.
Simple“Many people observe a moment of silence to remember the soldiers.”
In context“The embassy will be closed on Monday as the staff observe the national holiday of their home country.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
to say or write a remark about something you have noticed.
to make a verbal or written remark; to comment on a situation or fact.
Simple“"It is getting quite late," she observed as she looked at the clock.”
In context“The critic observed that the director's latest film lacked the emotional depth of his earlier masterpieces.”
UsageOften introduces a direct quote or a 'that' clause.
Usage additionally observe · directly observe · finally observe
“After spending hundreds of hours observing harbor porpoises from the pedestrian walkway of the Golden Gate Bridge, William Keener learned to say “porpoise” in a dozen languages.”
“Instead, I observe Orion KL's chemistry from Earth with radio telescopes.”
From Middle French observer, from Old French observer, from Latin observō (“to watch”), from ob- (“before”) + servō (“to keep”), from Proto-Indo-European *ser- (“to guard”). Cognate with Gothic 𐍃𐌰𐍂𐍅𐌰 (sarwa, “weapons, armour”), Old English searu (“device”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.