Observe Meaning
/əbˈzɜːv/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo notice or view, especially carefully or with attention to detail.
verbTo follow or obey the custom, practice, or rules (especially of a religion).
Sentence Examples
We must observe the rules.
We should observe the speed limit.
Observe his facial reaction when we mention a price.
CEFR Practice Quiz
During the study, the scientist will ____ the rats' behavior for several hours.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Students were asked to ____ the behavior of the insects and record their findings in a journal.
Word Origin & History
From Middle French observer, from Old French observer, from Latin observō (“to watch”), from ob- (“before”) + servō (“to keep”), from Proto-Indo-European *ser- (“to guard”). Cognate with Gothic 𐍃𐌰𐍂𐍅𐌰 (sarwa, “weapons, armour”), Old English searu (“device”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"“One horse?” interjected Holmes. ¶ “Yes, only one.” ¶ “Did you observe the colour?”"
— 1892, Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb:
"An extreme version of vorticity is a vortex. The vortex is a spinning, cyclonic mass of fluid, which can be observed in the rotation of water going down a drain, as well as in smoke rings, tornados and hurricanes."
— 2013 March 26, Frank Fish, George Lauder, “Not Just Going with the Flow”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 2, page 114:
"Some of them have, in fact, given them a theoretical elaboration which for subtlety, refinement, and elegance need make no apologies to the older economics, and which remains faithful to older theorizing in at least one respect, that the tradition of unintelligibility to the layman is scrupulously observed."
— 1958, Jacob Viner, The Long View and the Short, page 112:
"A sell-out crowd of 10,000 then observed perfectly a period of silence before the team revealed their black armbands, complete with stitched-in poppies, for the match. After Fifa’s about-turn, it must have been a frantic few days for the England kit manufacturer. The on-field challenge was altogether more straightforward."
— 2011 November 10, Jeremy Wilson, “England Under 21 5 Iceland Under 21 0: match report”, in Telegraph:
"Ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Exodus 12:17:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
During the study, the scientist will ____ the rats' behavior for several hours.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Students were asked to ____ the behavior of the insects and record their findings in a journal.