observe
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /əbˈzɜːrv/
KK: /əbˈzɜrv/
intransitive verb
Definition
To watch something carefully or to notice something happening without taking part in it.
Example
During the experiment, the students were asked to observe the reactions closely.
Tense Forms
Past: observed
Past Participle: observed
Conversation
I love going to the park just to observe how people interact.
Yeah, it's interesting to see different personalities at play.
Right? It's like a little social experiment every time I visit.
Exactly! You can learn so much just by being a silent watcher.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
witness
notice
remark
Antonyms
ignore
overlook
disregard
transitive verb
Definition
To watch or pay attention to something carefully in order to learn or notice it.
Example
She likes to observe the behavior of birds in her garden.
Tense Forms
Past: observed
Past Participle: observed
Conversation
Did you observe how the birds have started migrating already?
Yeah, I noticed that too! It's a sign that winter is coming.
I love watching them fly in formation; it's so beautiful to observe.
Root Explanation
**Observe** → It is formed from "ob-" (meaning against or in the way of) and "servare" (meaning to keep or to watch). The word "observe" means to watch carefully or to keep an eye on something, often implying attentiveness to details.
Memory Tip
Think of 'watching carefully' — 'ob-' suggests being in the way of something, and 'servare' means to keep an eye on it.
Visually Confused Words
reobserve
serve
unobserved
preobserve
misobserve
subserve
conserve