[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/observe/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [O](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/o/) / observe # observe verb (observe, observes, observed, observing) «observe» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition and Early Modern English — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. To observe is to watch something carefully to learn about it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/observe/#m1) 2. To observe can mean to notice or see something. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/observe/#m2) 3. (formal) To observe a rule or law is to obey it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/observe/#m3) 4. (formal) To observe a special day is to keep or celebrate it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/observe/#m4) 5. (formal) To observe can mean to say or remark. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/observe/#m5) ### In the lessons In science lessons pupils observe an experiment, plants or the weather and write what they notice; an observation is what you see or measure. In everyday life we observe birds, the night sky or how people behave. In formal language one observes a minute's silence or observes the speed limit. Phrases: observe closely, observe the rules. ### Examples - We observed the caterpillar every day for two weeks. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/observe/#x1) - Observe what happens when you add vinegar to the baking soda. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/observe/#x2) - Did you observe anything strange? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/observe/#x3) - Drivers must observe the speed limit near schools. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/observe/#x4) - The whole school observed a minute's silence. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/observe/#x5) - «It looks like rain,» she observed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/observe/#x6) - Astronomers observe the stars through telescopes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/observe/#x7) - Write down everything you observe in your science book. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/observe/#x8) - The lamp burnt out, but he did not observe it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/observe/#x9) ### Note Regular verb: observed, observing. Noun forms: observation (what you notice), observer (the person watching), observatory (a building for watching the sky). «Observe» is more careful than «see» or «look»: it means watching with attention. Do not confuse with «obey»; only in the formal sense do they mean the same. ## In Jewish tradition In the Torah, to observe is to keep and follow a law or special day, such as the Sabbath, carefully. **Interpretation.** "Observe" (shamor) is paired with "remember" (zachor) for the Sabbath. Tradition reads these as the two sides of keeping it: guarding it by avoiding forbidden work, and marking it with words and joy. ### Examples - Observe the sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD thy God commanded thee. (Torah DEU.5.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/observe/#x1) - And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever. (Torah EXO.12.24, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/observe/#x2) - And ye shall observe all My statutes, and all Mine ordinances, and do them: I am the LORD. (Torah LEV.19.37, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/observe/#x3) - That they might keep His statutes, and observe His laws. (Writings PSA.105.45, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/observe/#x4) - Oh that my ways were directed to observe Thy statutes! (Writings PSA.119.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/observe/#x5) - I will observe Thy statutes; O forsake me not utterly. (Writings PSA.119.8, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/observe/#x6) ### Note Regular verb: observed, observing. Noun forms: observation (what you notice), observer (the person watching), observatory (a building for watching the sky). «Observe» is more careful than «see» or «look»: it means watching with attention. Do not confuse with «obey»; only in the formal sense do they mean the same. ## Early Modern English ### Meaning In the Torah it means keep or obey (a day or rule); in the fairy tales it can mean watch or notice. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/O/observe/#m1) ### Then and now Today it mostly means watch carefully; the sense "keep or obey" is old, and the sentences use it that way for the Sabbath and ordinances. ### Examples - Observe the sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD thy God commanded thee. (Torah DEU.5.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/O/observe/#x1) - The good child undresses, but observe this! (The Red Fairy Book) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/O/observe/#x2) - And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever. (Torah EXO.12.24, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/O/observe/#x3) ### Note Today: keep; obey, watch. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «observe» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/observe/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«observe» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/observe.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «observe» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/observe/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«observe» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/observe.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «observe» in the Early Modern English dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/O/observe/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«observe» in the Early Modern English dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/emode/w/observe.html) on Mova free.