Yahoo Canada Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   observe

   /əbˈzəːv/

   verb

   • 1. notice or perceive (something) and register it as being significant: "she observed that all the chairs were already occupied" Similar noticeseenoteperceivediscernremarkspotdetectdiscoverdistinguishmake outliterary:espydescrybeholdOpposite overlookfail to see
   • ▪ watch (someone or something) carefully and attentively: "Rob stood in the hallway, from where he could observe the happenings on the street" Similar watchseelook ateyecontemplateviewsurveyregardwitnesskeep an eye onscrutinizekeep under observationkeep watch onkeep under surveillancemonitorkeep under scrutinywatch like a hawkkeep a weather eye onspy oncheck outreconnoitreinformal:get a load ofkeep tabs onkeep a tab oncasekeep a beady eye onclocktake a dekko/butcher's/gander/shufti atrecceeyeballarchaic:twigrare:surveil
   • ▪ take note of or detect (something) in the course of a scientific study: "the behaviour observed in groups of chimpanzees"
   • 2. make a remark: "‘It's chilly,’ she observed" Similar commentremarksaymentionnotedeclareannouncestateutterpronounceinterposeinterjectformal:opine
   • 3. fulfil or comply with (a social, legal, ethical, or religious obligation): "a tribunal must observe the principles of natural justice" Similar comply withabide bykeepobeyadhere toconform toheedhonourrespectbe heedful ofpay attention tofollowacquiesce inconsent toacceptdefer tofulfilstand byOpposite disregardignorebreak
   • ▪ maintain (silence) in compliance with a rule or custom, or temporarily as a mark of respect: "a minute's silence will be observed"
   • ▪ perform or take part in (a rite or ceremony): "relations gather to observe the funeral rites"
   • ▪ celebrate or acknowledge (an anniversary): "they observed the one-year anniversary of the flood" Similar participate inpartake inbe present atcelebratekeepcommemoratesolemnizemarkmemorializerememberrecognize

   Word Origin late Middle English (in observe (sense 3)): from Old French observer, from Latin observare ‘to watch’, from ob- ‘towards’ + servare ‘attend to, look at’.

   Scrabble Points: 12

   • O

     1

   • B

     3

   • S

     1

   • E

     1

   • R

     1

   • V

     4

   • E

     1

   Powered by Oxford Dictionaries

   More definitions, origin and scrabble points