# observe

> English word · Verb · IPA /əbˈzɜːv/ · frequency rank #6,495

## Definitions
1. To notice or view, especially carefully or with attention to detail.
2. To follow or obey the custom, practice, or rules (especially of a religion).
3. To take note of and celebrate (a holiday or similar occurrence), to keep; to follow (a type of time or calendar reckoning).
4. To comment on something; to make an observation.

## Etymology
From Middle French observer, from Old French observer, from Latin observō (“to watch”), from ob- (“before”) + servō (“to keep”), from Proto-Indo-European *ser- (“to guard”). Cognate with Gothic 𐍃𐌰𐍂𐍅𐌰 (sarwa, “weapons, armour”), Old English searu (“device”).

## Easily confused with
- **obverse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/observe-vs-obverse)
- **observed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/observe-vs-observed)
- **observer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/observe-vs-observer)

## Common misspellings (10)
`boserve`, `obbserve`, `obesrve`, `obserev`, `obserrve`, `observve`, `obsevre`, `obsreve`, `obsserve`, `osberve`

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