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adjective

observant

uhb-ZUR-vuhnt

Observant (adjective) means Quick to notice things; alert and watchful. Example: “An observant shopper spotted the mistake on the receipt.”

adjective
1
Quick to notice things; alert and watchful.
"An observant shopper spotted the mistake on the receipt."
2
Carefully following the rules or practices of a religion.
"They come from an observant Jewish family."

How to use observant

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGood at noticing details, or strict about following religious practice.

Common pairings
observant eye observant of tradition

Word forms

more observant comparative, Observants plural, most observant superlative

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An _____ shopper spotted the mistake on the receipt.

Etymology

Borrowed from French observant, from the same root as observe.

Origin: French

Antonyms

inobservant nonobservant unobservant unobserving

Related words

Rhymes for observant

See all rhymes for observant →

Frequently asked questions

What does “observant” mean?

The word “observant” means quick to notice things; alert and watchful. In plain terms, good at noticing details, or strict about following religious practice.

How do you pronounce “observant”?

“Observant” is pronounced uhb-ZUR-vuhnt (/əbˈzɝvənt/ in IPA).

How do you use “observant” in a sentence?

Here is “observant” used in a sentence: “An observant shopper spotted the mistake on the receipt.”

What is the opposite of “observant”?

The opposite of “observant” — its antonyms — are inobservant, nonobservant, unobservant and unobserving.

What part of speech is “observant”?

“Observant” is an adjective.

Where does the word “observant” come from?

The word “observant” comes from French. Borrowed from French observant, from the same root as observe.

How many meanings does “observant” have?

“Observant” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: quick to notice things; alert and watchful.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial