# observance

> English word · Noun · IPA /əbˈzɝvəns/ · frequency rank #24,535

## Definitions
1. The practice of complying with a law, custom, command or rule.
2. The custom of celebrating a holiday or similar occasion.
3. Observation or the act of watching.
4. A rule governing a religious order, especially in the Roman Catholic church.
5. That which is to be observed.
6. Reverence; homage.

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

## Easily confused with
- **observant** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/observance-vs-observant)
- **observable** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/observable-vs-observance)

## Common misspellings (16)
`boservance`, `obbservance`, `obesrvance`, `obseravnce`, `obserrvance`, `observacne`, `observancce`, `observanec`, `observannce`, `observence`, `observnace`, `observvance`, `obsevrance`, `obsrevance`, `obsservance`, `osbervance`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/observance