# observer

/əbˈzɝvɝ/ (US) · /ɒbzˈɜːvɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/observer
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. someone who watches

noun · CEFR B2

a person who watches or notices something carefully.

For teachers: an individual who monitors or takes notice of events, often to gain information or understanding.

- A casual observer might not notice the small changes in the painting.
- To a trained observer, the subtle shifts in the bird's behaviour indicated that a predator was likely nearby in the tall grass.

### 2. official monitor

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

a person sent to a meeting or election to watch but not take part.

For teachers: a representative delegated to attend a function or monitor a process to ensure fairness or gather data without active participation.

- International observers were sent to make sure the election was fair.
- The organization sent several observers to the climate summit to report back on the progress of the negotiations without joining the voting process.

### 3. military lookout

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a soldier or crew member who watches for enemy positions.

For teachers: a person, such as a sentry or aircraft crew member, tasked with spotting enemy movements or identifying targets.

- The observer used binoculars to scan the horizon for enemy ships.
- The forward observer relayed the exact coordinates of the artillery fire to the command centre via a secure radio link.

### 4. follower of rules

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal

someone who follows a law, custom, or religious tradition.

For teachers: one who adheres to or complies with laws, guidelines, or religious requirements.

- He was a strict observer of the Sabbath and never worked on Saturdays.
- As a lifelong observer of traditional customs, she insisted that the ceremony be performed exactly as it had been for generations.

## Examples

- The observer watched the birds from a distance.
- International observers arrived at the polling stations to ensure the election was conducted fairly and transparently.
- To a casual observer, the two paintings might look identical, but a trained eye can easily spot the subtle differences in brushwork and color saturation.

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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.