Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

observant

/əbˈzɝvənt/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.05 in modern English

Syllables: ob-ser-vant
IPA: /əbˈzɝvənt/

14

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

3

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Alert and paying close attention; watchful.

adj

Diligently attentive in observing a law, custom, duty or principle; regardful; mindful.

adj

Practicing a religion.

noun

A member of a Franciscan order that strictly observes the rules of St. Francis.

Example Sentences

"The observant police officer noticed that my tax disk was out-of-date."
"I was normally observant of the local parking restrictions."
"We are told how observant Alexander was of his master Aristotle."
"They also profess Buddhism, but are not so observant of its customs, nor are there so many monasteries and Lamas to be met with as in the other part of Bhutan."
"She is an observant Catholic who goes to church regularly."

Etymology

Borrowed from French observant.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /əbˈzɝvənt/
British English: /əbˈzɜːvənt/

Inflected Forms

more observant (comparative) most observant (superlative) Observants (plural)

Derived Forms

hyperobservant nonobservant unobservant Observantism Observantist

Frequently Paired Words

inobservant

Synonyms

pious practicing religionary Allah-fearing devout devoutful frum godfearing heavenly-minded inward godly observant

Antonyms

inobservant nonobservant unobservant unobserving

Rhymes With

servant fervent

Questions

How do you pronounce observant?: The recorded pronunciation is /əbˈzɝvənt/.
What does observant mean?: Alert and paying close attention; watchful.
Where does observant come from?: Borrowed from French observant.

How to pronounce observant

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “observant”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/əbˈzɝvənt/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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