observant

1 of 2

adjective

ob·​ser·​vant əb-ˈzər-vənt How to pronounce observant (audio)
1
a
: paying strict attention : watchful
an observant spectator
b
: keen, perceptive
observant of the mistakes of others
Good reporters are keenly observant of everything around them.
2
: careful in observing rites, laws, or customs : mindful
pious and religiously observant familiesSidney Hook
always observant of the amenities
observantly adverb

observant

2 of 2

noun

obsolete
: an assiduous or obsequious servant or attendant

Examples of observant in a Sentence

Adjective A particularly observant child, he noticed even the slightest changes in the classroom. Good reporters are keenly observant of everything around them. The family is strictly observant.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
There are spiritually rich and observant ways to worship that include delaying or forgoing a fast. Azmia Ricchuito, SELF, 7 Mar. 2024 Mollie is wise, observant and vastly rich from her share of the oil money derived from Osage land. Karen Heller, Washington Post, 21 Feb. 2024 And by being an exceptionally observant, considerate and helpful neighbor. Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 16 Dec. 2023 The statist project was avowedly secular—the endgame was the construction of a new Hebrew culture to supplant Judaism as a religion—and observant communities generally wanted no part of it. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 15 Feb. 2024 The new one retains his debut’s easygoing preciousness: the deadpan sense of humor, a coolly observant interest in the divide between city and country, and the sighs Dorji wants to elicit from the Himalayan landscape. Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2024 And observant Jews who practice and love their religion. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 9 Feb. 2024 Rabbi Matisyahu Salomon, a longtime spiritual counselor at America’s largest yeshiva who spearheaded a crusade to warn observant Jews of the risks posed by the internet, died on Jan. 2 in Lakewood, N.J. Joseph Berger, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2024 The department said that the dumpster had compacted the garbage four times when the woman was stuck inside. NEW HAMPSHIRE WEDDING SHOOTER GETS 40 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON The observant driver glanced at the camera that was located inside the truck, and noticed the woman desperately calling for help. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 31 Jan. 2024
Noun
Raised to be independent and observant, the teenager is a misfit in traditional Victorian society. Danny Horn, EW.com, 4 Jan. 2024 Here is a brief summary of when Easter and related events take place in 2024, and what those days mean to observants. Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2024 Shrove Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras, marks not only the last day of Carnival but also the last day observants can eat meat and enjoy other indulgences before Lent. Elizabeth Djinis, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Feb. 2024 Franklyn describes herself as creative, observant, and a daydreamer. Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 11 Dec. 2023 Naturally grounded as earth signs, Virgos are sympathetic, focused and observant, and five of them have been named PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive: Mark Harmon, the late Sean Connery, Richard Gere, Keanu Reeves and Idris Elba. Zoey Lyttle, Peoplemag, 2 Nov. 2023 The Likud electorate has historically been the Mizrahi (Jews of Middle Eastern and North African descent), the religiously observant, the noncollege-educated and the poor. Ruth Margalit, New York Times, 27 Sep. 2023 The characters in this collection are all witnesses, hesitant but perceptive, observant sometimes to the point of paralysis. Annie Berke, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2023 During this time, the religiously-observant Hrangchal mixed his studies with work as an assembly worker at a factory, all the while keeping up his outdoor sports practice. Etgar Lefkovits, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'observant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1605, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of observant was in 1599

Dictionary Entries Near observant

Cite this Entry

“Observant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/observant. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

observant

adjective
ob·​ser·​vant
əb-ˈzər-vənt
1
: paying careful attention : watchful
2
: quick to observe : keen
3
: careful in observing : mindful
observantly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on observant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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