verb

observe

uhb-ZURV

verb

To watch someone or something carefully.

"Scientists observed the animals' behaviour for months."

"She observed him closely as he explained his plan."

To follow or comply with a rule, custom, or celebration.

"Many families observe the holiday with a traditional meal."

To make a remark or comment.

""You look tired," he observed."

How to Use Observe

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo watch closely, to follow a rule or tradition, or to make a comment.

Common pairings

observe closely observe a tradition observe silence

Word Forms

observed past tense, observe plural, observed plural, observes plural, observes singular, observe singular, observest singular, observed singular, observedst singular, observeth singular

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Scientists _____ the animals' behaviour for months.

Etymology

From Latin observare, "to watch," from ob- ("before") + servare ("to keep, guard").

Rhymes for observe

nerve serve swerve deserve reserve preserve conserve

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