# observed

/əbˈzɝvd/ (US) · /ɒbzˈɜːvd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/observed
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. watched carefully

verb · CEFR B2

watched someone or something closely to learn about them.

For teachers: monitored or watched a subject with attention to detail, often for scientific or investigative purposes.

- The scientists observed the birds for several weeks to see how they built their nests.
- The researchers observed the chemical reaction under a microscope, noting the precise moment the solution changed from clear to opaque.

Usage: Often used in the passive voice in scientific reporting.

### 2. followed a rule

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

obeyed a law, a rule, or a religious custom.

For teachers: complied with or adhered to a law, regulation, or religious tradition.

- The silence was strictly observed during the ceremony to show respect.
- The local community has observed these traditional fasting laws for centuries, passing the customs down through generations.

Usage: Commonly used with abstract nouns like 'silence', 'tradition', or 'protocol'.

### 3. remarked or said

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

said something you noticed about a situation.

For teachers: made a remark or comment based on an observation.

- He observed that the room was much colder than it had been yesterday.
- The chairman observed that the company's growth had slowed significantly in the final quarter of the fiscal year.

Usage: Typically followed by a 'that' clause.

### 4. rescheduled holiday

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical · Formal

describes a public holiday that is celebrated on a different day than usual.

For teachers: pertaining to a public holiday celebrated on a date other than its traditional calendar date, usually to create a long weekend.

- Since Christmas fell on a Sunday, the holiday was observed on Monday instead.
- The government announced that the national day would be an observed holiday on the following Friday to encourage domestic tourism.

## Examples

- The scientists observed the birds for several weeks.
- The security team observed the crowd's behavior through the cameras to ensure everyone followed the safety rules.
- While the researchers observed a significant shift in the data over the fiscal quarter, the local community strictly observed traditional customs that had remained unchanged for centuries.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.