Observer Meaning
/əbˈzɝvɚ/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounOne who makes observations, monitors or takes notice.
nounOne who adheres or follows laws, guidelines, etc.
Sentence Examples
The fact is apparent to the most casual observer.
Opaque? Not at all. Intuitively obvious to the most casual observer.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The silent ____ watched the entire robbery from a hidden spot nearby.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
As an impartial ____, the diplomat watched the negotiations carefully without taking any sides.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree English observe Proto-Indo-European *-yósder. Proto-Italic *-āzijos Latin -āriusnom. Latin -āriusbor. Proto-Germanic *-ārijaz Proto-West Germanic *-ārī Old English -ere Middle English -ere English -er English observer From observe + -er.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Between 8 and 9 p.m., the recorder at a meteorological station at Harrow, Middlesex, picked up 1,470 lightning flashes within a radius of 10 to 15 miles, and observers at the station described the storm as "probably one of the most spectacular of the century.""
— 1958 November 26, “Storm Damage in the Home Counties”, in Railway Magazine, page 746:
"When the army reached Tsun-i, an enlarged Politburo meeting was called. Teng attended as an observer."
— 1985, Ching Hua Lee, “Becoming Mao's Man (1931-1935)”, in Deng Xiaoping: The Marxist Road to the Forbidden City, Princeton, N.J.: The Kingston Press, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 68:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The silent ____ watched the entire robbery from a hidden spot nearby.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
As an impartial ____, the diplomat watched the negotiations carefully without taking any sides.