Meaning of observe in English

observe

/əbˈzɝːv/ uk

/əbˈzɜːv/

observe verb [T] (WATCH)

B2 formal

to watch carefully the way something happens or the way someone does something, especially in order to learn more about it:

The role of scientists is to observe and describe the world, not to try to control it.

[ + question word ] He spent a year in the jungle, observing how deforestation is affecting local tribes.

Children learn by observing adults.

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In Istanbul, East and West fuse together in a way that is fascinating to observe.
The satellite will observe objects that are particularly interesting astronomically.
Some scientists believe that there is about ten times as much matter in the universe as astronomers have observed.
The research project has been observing changes in the local population.
Security guards are able to observe the car park using CCTV.

SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases

Using the eyes

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observe verb [T] (NOTICE)

C1 formal

to notice or see:

Jack observed a look of anxiety on his brother's face.

[ + question word ] The guards failed to observe who delivered the package.

[ + that ] In all these films one observes that directors are taking a new interest in Native American culture.

[ + infinitive without to ] A teacher observed her climb over the gate.

Thesaurus: synonyms, antonyms, and examples

to see something

seeI can see for miles from up here.
noticeI noticed a crack in the ceiling.
perceiveBill perceived a tiny figure in the distance.
observeA teacher observed her climbing over the gate.
spotWe managed to spot a leopard.
catch sight ofWe looked for the bird and caught sight of it just as it flew off.

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Thesaurus: synonyms, antonyms, and examples

to say something

sayWhen I say your name, raise your hand.
utterShe barely uttered a word all morning.
they sayThey say the house is haunted.
it is saidIt is said that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
stateUnion members stated that they were unhappy with the proposal.
remarkHe remarked that she was looking thin.

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More examplesFewer examples

Did you observe the make of the vehicle?
The inspectors observed some irregularities in his tax return.
Did you observe anything unusual about his appearance?
Scientists have been observing variations in the thickness of the ozone layer.
She observed a parking space next to the entrance to the building.

SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases

Using the eyes

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observe verb [T] (SAY)

formal

to make a remark about something:

[ + speech ] "I've always found German cars very reliable," he observed.

[ + that ] She observed that it would soon be time to stop for lunch.

SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases

Saying & uttering

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observe verb [T] (OBEY)

C2 formal

to obey a law, rule, or custom:

People must observe the law. Nobody should be an exception.

The old people in the village still observe the local traditions.

Do you observe Passover?

Thesaurus: synonyms, antonyms, and examples

to obey someone or something

obeyChildren must obey their parents.
followAll religions guide youths to follow the teachings of elders and parents.
complyThere are serious penalties for failure to comply with the regulations.
observePeople must observe the law.
adhere toThey failed to adhere to the terms of the agreement.
abide byPlayers must abide by the referee's decision.

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SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases

Obeying & breaking the law

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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:

Custom, tradition & conformity

Related words

observable

observably

(Definition of observe from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

observe | Intermediate English

observe

verb

/əbˈzɜrv/

observe verb (WATCH)

Add to word list Add to word list

[ T ]

to watch something or someone carefully:

She spent her career observing animal behavior.

[ + question word ] On their field trip, the students observed how a newspaper was put together.

observe verb (NOTICE)

[ T ]

to notice something or someone:

[ T ] Jack observed a look of panic on his brother’s face.

observe verb (EXAMINE)

[ T ] science

to study and record information about a scientific event

observe verb (REMARK)

[ I ]

to remark about something:

"It’s raining again," he observed.

observe verb (OBEY)

[ T ]

to obey a law or rule, or celebrate a holiday or religious event in a traditional way:

You must observe the law.

(Definition of observe from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Examples of observe

observe

The team couldn't observe any differences, because their tumors were progressing at a turbo-charged speed.

From WIRED

Seventy-eight species have been observed on or near this bird sanctuary.

From CNN

But she soon realized that the same data could be used to observe human travel on a population level.

From CNN

Did the child feel he/she had come forward and the bullying was observed and nothing was done, so nothing will ever get better?

From CNN

As children gain self-awareness, they observe and evaluate their own behavior based on past experience, current needs, and future goals and dreams.

From Huffington Post

This process is extremely rare and has never previously been observed.

From Phys.Org

The researchers also observed the protective benefits of coffee increased the more a person drank.

From CBS News

Even the birds seemed to observe a code of silence.

From CNN

And we need confidence that these rules are being followed and observed.

From CNN

The more you observe them, the more you learn about them.

From Huffington Post

The researchers simply observed the subjects; they did not alter or affect the type or amount of supplements the subjects were taking.

From The Atlantic

And they could learn from each other, just by observing each other.

From NPR

These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.

What is the pronunciation of observe?