Observing: meaning, definitions and examples

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observing

 

[ ษ™bหˆzษœหvษชล‹ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

science

To notice or perceive something and register it as being significant. Observing often involves using the senses and paying attention to detail.

Synonyms

noticing, perceiving, watching.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
observing

Use when someone is carefully watching something or studying it over a period of time. Often used in scientific or detailed settings.

  • She is observing the behavior of birds for her research.
  • He spent the afternoon observing the bustling city streets.
watching

Applied when someone is looking at something for a period of time, often for enjoyment or supervision. Can be more casual.

  • He enjoys watching movies on weekends.
  • The babysitter is watching the kids while the parents are out.
noticing

Best for moments when someone becomes aware of something, usually in a casual or immediate context.

  • I noticed a small stain on my shirt.
  • He didn't notice the new painting on the wall.
perceiving

Used when someone becomes aware of something through their senses or understands something in a particular way. Often has an emphasis on the interpretation or awareness.

  • She perceived a sense of sadness in his voice.
  • They perceived the change in the atmosphere immediately.

Examples of usage

  • She spent hours observing the behavior of the birds in the park.
  • Scientists have been observing the effects of climate change on the environment.
Context #2 | Verb

formal

To watch carefully, especially with attention to details or behavior for the purpose of gaining information or understanding.

Synonyms

inspect, monitor, scrutinize.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
observing

This term is generally used when you are watching something attentively over a period of time to gather information. It has a neutral connotation.

  • She spent hours observing the behavior of birds at the park
  • The teacher was observing the students during the test
scrutinize

Used when examining something closely and critically, often looking for mistakes or issues. It carries a more intense and sometimes negative connotation.

  • The judge will scrutinize all the documents before making a decision
  • The auditors began to scrutinize the company's financial records
monitor

Often used in a technical or official context to mean watching or checking something over a period of time for a specific purpose.

  • The nurse will monitor the patient's vital signs throughout the night
  • We need to monitor the progress of the construction project closely
inspect

Used when you are looking at something very carefully, especially for flaws or problems. It often implies a thorough examination.

  • The mechanic will inspect the car to find out what's wrong
  • The health inspector came to inspect the restaurant's kitchen

Examples of usage

  • The detective was observing the suspect from across the street.
  • The teacher observed the students during the exam.

Translations

Translations of the word "observing" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น observando

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคจเคฟเคฐเฅ€เค•เฅเคทเคฃ เค•เคฐเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช beobachten

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ mengamati

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัะฟะพัั‚ะตั€ั–ะณะฐั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ obserwowaฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่ฆณๅฏŸใ™ใ‚‹ (ใ‹ใ‚“ใ•ใคใ™ใ‚‹)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท observer

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ observando

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท gรถzlemlemek

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ด€์ฐฐํ•˜๋‹ค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูŠุฑุงู‚ุจ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ pozorovat

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ pozorovaลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ง‚ๅฏŸ (guฤnchรก)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ opazovati

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ skoรฐa

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฑะฐา›ั‹ะปะฐัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ“แƒแƒ™แƒ•แƒ˜แƒ แƒ•แƒ”แƒ‘แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mรผลŸahidษ™ etmษ™k

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ observando

Etymology

The word 'observing' originated from the Latin word 'observare', which means 'to watch'. Over time, it has evolved to encompass the act of noticing or perceiving something with attention to detail. The concept of observation is fundamental in various fields such as science, research, and everyday life, where it plays a crucial role in gathering information and understanding the world around us.

See also: nonobservance, observable, observance, observant, observantly, observation, observational, observationally, observe, observer, observers, unobservant, unobserved.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,262 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.