Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

observance

/əbˈzɝvəns/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.13 in modern English

Syllables
ob-ser-vance
IPA
/əbˈzɝvəns/
17
Scrabble Score
10
Letters
3
Syllables
9
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The practice of complying with a law, custom, command or rule.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

The custom of celebrating a holiday or similar occasion.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

Observation or the act of watching.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

A rule governing a religious order, especially in the Roman Catholic church.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

That which is to be observed.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

Reverence; homage.

Countable; Uncountable

Example Sentences

Etymology

From Old French observance, from Latin observantia. Equivalent of observe + -ance.

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: observance, observantia

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /əbˈzɝvəns/
  • British English: /əbˈzɜːvəns/

Usage

Inflected Forms

observances (plural) observancy (alternative) observaunce (alternative)

Derived Forms

disobservance hyperobservance inobservance misobservance nonobservance unobservance

Phrases

Sabbath observance

Synonyms

observation watching honoring honouring notice ceremony ceremonial ceremonial occasion

Antonyms

misobservance

Questions

How do you pronounce observance?
The recorded pronunciation is /əbˈzɝvəns/.
What does observance mean?
The practice of complying with a law, custom, command or rule.
Where does observance come from?
It is traced to Old French.

How to pronounce observance

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “observance”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/əbˈzɝvəns/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “observance”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “observance” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.