English dictionary



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English verb: observe

1. observe (perception) discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of


SamplesShe detected high levels of lead in her drinking water.
We found traces of lead in the paint.


Synonymsdetect, discover, find, notice


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody.
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE


Broader (hypernym)sight, spy


Narrower (hyponym)catch out, find out, instantiate, see, sense, trace


Verb groupdiscover, find

2. observe (communication) make mention of


SamplesShe observed that his presentation took up too much time.
They noted that it was a fine day to go sailing.


Synonymsmention, note, remark


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE


Broader (hypernym)say, state, tell


Narrower (hyponym)comment, notice, point out, remark

3. observe (perception) observe with care or pay close attention to


SamplesTake note of this chemical reaction.


Synonymsnote, take note


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody


Entailcomprehend, perceive

4. observe (perception) watch attentively


SamplesPlease observe the reaction of these two chemicals.


ExamplesThe customs agents observe the bags for drugs


Pattern of useSomebody ----s.
Somebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)watch


Narrower (hyponym)bird, birdwatch, monitor, monitor, reconnoiter, reconnoitre, scout, supervise, track

5. observe (social) show respect towards


SamplesHonor your parents!.


Synonymsabide by, honor, honour, respect


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)accept


Narrower (hyponym)celebrate, lionise, lionize, tolerate


Antonymsdisrespect

6. observe (social) behave as expected during of holidays or rites


SamplesKeep the commandments.
Celebrate Christmas.
Observe Yom Kippur.


Synonymscelebrate, keep


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Narrower (hyponym)commemorate, mark, mourn, solemnise, solemnize

7. observe (social) follow with the eyes or the mind


SamplesKeep an eye on the baby, please!.
The world is watching Sarajevo.
She followed the men with the binoculars.


ExamplesThe children observe the ball


Synonymsfollow, keep an eye on, watch, watch over


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)check, check into, check out, check over, check up on, go over, look into, suss out


Narrower (hyponym)guard, invigilate, keep tabs on, proctor


Verb groupfollow, trace

8. observe (cognition) stick to correctly or closely


SamplesThe pianist kept time with the metronome.
Keep count.
I cannot keep track of all my employees.


Synonymskeep, maintain


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something

9. observe (social) conform one's action or practice to


SamplesKeep appointments.
She never keeps her promises.
We kept to the original conditions of the contract.


Synonymskeep


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Narrower (hyponym)make good


Antonymsbreach, infract, transgress, go against, offend, violate, break









Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
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