observer

noun

uhb-ZUR-vur/əbˈzɝvɚ/UKuhb-ZUR-vuh/əbˈzɜːvə/

6 meanings of observer

1
nouncountable
A person who watches something carefully and notices what is happening.
Like someone watching a game and noticing every move the players make.
A careful observer noticed the small crack in the wall.
As an observer, she wrote down everything that happened.
Similarwatcher, onlooker, spectator
2
nouncountable
A person sent to a meeting to watch what happens but not to join in.
The school sent an observer to watch the contest.
Each group brought one observer to the meeting.
Similarmonitor
Oppositeparticipant
3
nouncountable
A country or group that may join an organization's meetings but has limited rights there.
Like a guest at a club meeting who can listen and speak but cannot vote.
The country took part as an observer but was not allowed to vote.
As an observer, the small state could speak but not make any decisions.
Note
4
nouncountable
A person who follows rules, laws, or customs carefully.
Like someone who always keeps the promises they make.
He is a careful observer of the rules at work.
Observers of the old traditions still gather each spring.
Note
5
nouncountable
A crew member on a plane whose job is to watch for enemy planes or troops.
Like a lookout on a ship watching for danger on every side.
The observer pointed out the enemy planes coming from the east.
As the plane circled, the observer watched the ground below.
Similarspotter
Note
6
nouncountable
A soldier who watches from a lookout post and reports what they see.
The observer at the lookout saw the trucks coming and called it in.
An observer kept watch from the hilltop post all night.
Similarlookout, sentry
Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of observer apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

This word comes from "observe" plus the ending "-er."