observe
verb/əbˈzɜːv/
/əbˈzɜːrv/
Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they observe | /əbˈzɜːv/ /əbˈzɜːrv/ |
| he / she / it observes | /əbˈzɜːvz/ /əbˈzɜːrvz/ |
| past simple observed | /əbˈzɜːvd/ /əbˈzɜːrvd/ |
| past participle observed | /əbˈzɜːvd/ /əbˈzɜːrvd/ |
| -ing form observing | /əbˈzɜːvɪŋ/ /əbˈzɜːrvɪŋ/ |
- [transitive] (formal) to see or notice somebody/something
- observe somebody/something Have you observed any changes lately?
- All the characters in the novel are closely observed (= seem like people in real life).
- I want you to observe all the details.
- The patterns observed in our study may represent a general rule.
- observe somebody/something do something The police observed a man enter the bank.
- observe somebody/something doing something They observed him entering the bank.
- observe that… She observed that all the chairs were already occupied.
- be observed to do something He was observed to follow her closely.
Synonyms commentcommentnote ▪ remark ▪ observeThese words all mean to say or write a fact or opinion.comment to express an opinion or give facts about something:- He refused to comment until after the trial.
- He noted in passing that the company’s record on safety issues was not good.
- Critics remarked that the play was not original.
- She observed that it was getting late.
- to comment/note/remark/observe that…
- to comment on/note/remark/observe how…
- to comment/remark on something
- to comment/remark/observe to somebody
- ‘It’s long,’ he commented/noted/remarked/observed.
Synonyms noticenoticenote ▪ detect ▪ observe ▪ witnessThese words all mean to see something, especially when you pay careful attention to it.notice to see, hear or become aware of somebody/something; to pay attention to somebody/something:- The first thing I noticed about the room was the smell.
- Please note (that) the office will be closed on Monday.
- The tests are designed to detect the disease early.
- Have you observed any changes lately?
- The police observed a man enter the bank.
- Police have appealed for anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them.
- to notice/note/detect/observe that/how/what/where/who…
- to notice/observe/witness something happen/somebody do something
Extra Examples- It is the parents who actually observe these behavioural problems in their children.
- She correctly observed that there was very little difference between the two parties on domestic policies.
- This behaviour is commonly observed among several species of finch.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- carefully
- closely
- precisely
- …
- be able to
- be possible to
- be difficult to
- …
- among
- for
- from
- …
- be commonly observed
- be frequently observed
- be widely observed
- …
- [transitive, intransitive] (formal) to watch somebody/something carefully, especially to learn more about them synonym monitor
- He observes keenly, but says little.
- observe somebody/something I felt he was observing everything I did.
- The patients were observed over a period of several months.
- an observed decrease in rainfall in the area
- The program provided an opportunity to observe the effects of treatment.
- The cells were observed under a microscope.
- observe somebody/something for something The patient should be observed for signs of an allergic reaction.
- observe how, what, etc… They observed how the parts of the machine fitted together.
Synonyms looklookwatch ▪ see ▪ view ▪ observeThese words all mean to turn your eyes in a particular direction.look to turn your eyes in a particular direction:- If you look carefully you can just see our house from here.
- She looked at me and smiled.
- to watch television
- Watch what I do, then you try.
- In the evening we went to see a movie.
- People came from all over the world to view her work.
- The patients were observed over a period of several months.
- to look/watch for somebody/something
- to watch/observe what/who/how…
- to look/watch/view/observe (somebody/something) with amazement/surprise/disapproval, etc.
- to watch/see/view a film/show/programme
- to watch/see a match/game/fight
- to look (at somebody/something)/watch (somebody/something)/observe somebody/something carefully/closely
Extra Examples- You can learn a lot by simply observing.
- She was unaware that she was being observed from the window.
- It is interesting to observe the reaction of the children to these changes.
- She stood there, quietly observing the domestic scene.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- carefully
- closely
- precisely
- …
- be able to
- be possible to
- be difficult to
- …
- among
- for
- from
- …
- be commonly observed
- be frequently observed
- be widely observed
- …
- [transitive] observe that… | + speech (formal) to make a remark synonym comment
- She observed that it was getting late.
Extra Examples- ‘It's easy to say that,’ she observed to Michael, ‘but can you prove it?’
- ‘You took your time, ’ he observed coolly.
- The only certainties in this world, as Benjamin Franklin famously observed, are death and taxes.
- The Area Manager observed that takings were down and decided to pay a visit.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- astutely
- correctly
- keenly
- …
- to
- [transitive] observe something to obey rules, laws, etc.
- Will the rebels observe the ceasefire?
- The crowd observed a minute's silence (= were silent for one minute) in memory of those who had died.
Extra ExamplesTopics Permission and obligationc1- Failure to observe club rules may result in expulsion.
- This procedure must be correctly observed.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- correctly
- faithfully
- scrupulously
- …
- fail to
- failure to observe something
- [transitive] observe something (formal) to celebrate festivals, birthdays, etc.
- Religious festivals were always observed.
Word Originlate Middle English (in sense (5)): from Old French observer, from Latin observare ‘to watch’, from ob- ‘towards’ + servare ‘attend to, look at’.
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