observant Hear it!

observant Definition

ob·serv·ant (əb zʉrv′ənt)

adjective

  1. strict in observing, or keeping, a law, custom, duty, rule, etc.: often with of observant of the rules of etiquette
  2. paying careful attention; keenly watchful
  3. perceptive or alert
  4. Judaism designating or of a person who adheres strictly to traditional religious practices

Etymology: Fr, prp. of observer, observe

noun

Friar Minor

Related Forms:

observant Synonyms

observant

modif.

  1. Given to observing

    keen, alert, penetrating, wide-awake, discerning, perceptive, sharp, eager, interested, discovering, detecting, discriminating, searching, understanding, questioning, deducing, surveying, alive, contemplating, regardful, considering, sensitive, clear-sighted, comprehending, bright, intelligent, on the ball*, on the beam*, on one's toes*; see also intelligent 1, judicious.

    Antonyms thoughtless*, unobservant, insensitive. *

  2. Engaged in observing

    watchful, gazing, attentive, alert, awake, wide-awake, sleepless, wakeful, noticing, viewing, vigilant, reconnoitering, guarding, mindful, on guard, regardful, listening, heedful, on the watch, on the lookout, on the qui vive, looking out, intent on, alive to, careful, undistracted, intent, open-eyed, sharp-eyed, circumspect, cautious, wary, prudent, marking, inspecting, scrutinizing, examining, surveying, all ears*, all eyes*; see also watching.

    Antonyms careless*, heedless*, inattentive.

Observant Usage Examples

Infinitive complement

  • notice: You would have had to be even more observant to notice what another new volunteer on site is doing!

Modifies a noun

  • reader: The more observant readers will now be saying to themselves, " Four ha ha ha ha!
  • eye: He is a history graduate with an observant eye for reminders of the past.
  • man: Our most observant Man, most unobserved; Maker of Portraits for Humanity!
  • student: Thankfully, an observant student with too much time on his hands ( waves!

Modifying Another Word

  • religiously: But this is not simply a dispute between the religiously observant and the secular.
  • sharply: Brown's staging occasionally slid toward camp, but elsewhere was sharply observant of the vagaries of human nature.
  • very: For a time I was very observant, watching the coffin lowered, hearing the words of the ritual.
  • reasonably: I'm a reasonably observant Catholic ( by European standards anyway ).

Used with adjective complement

  • become: Ibrahim says his business has been pummeled as people have become more observant.
  • remain: You need to remain observant of your rats ' behavior.