Meaning & use
observed
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“observed” is a form of “observe”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Noticed, watched or measured by someone carefully, as opposed to guessed or predicted.
Grammar: Usually sits before a noun: observed behavior, observed data.
Patterns
- observed behavior
- observed difference
The observed rise in temperature matched the model's forecast.
Scientists compared observed results with expected ones.
Teachers recorded each child's observed progress during the term.
adjectivebefore a nounformal
Followed or marked according to a rule, custom or holiday.
Grammar: Often appears in a compound: an observed holiday, a strictly observed rule.
Patterns
- strictly observed
Labor Day is an observed holiday, so the office will close on Monday.
The strictly observed silence made the library feel peaceful.
The observed customs of the village surprised the visitors.
Common combinations
- observed behavior
- Observed behavior can differ from what people report.
- observed data
- The observed data did not fit the theory.
- observed holiday
- The observed holiday falls on a Friday this year.
- closely observed
- The film is a closely observed portrait of family life.
- observed effect
- The observed effect was small but consistent.
Synonyms and how they differ
- noted
- Noted often means written down or well known, while observed stresses direct watching.
- recorded
- Recorded suggests data kept on paper or a device, not necessarily the act of watching.
- measured
- Measured implies a number was taken, where observed can be just a visual notice.
- kept
- Kept fits customs like a kept promise, whereas observed holiday sounds more official.
Opposites
Word family
- observe verb
- to watch carefully, or to follow a rule
- observation noun
- the act of watching, or a remark
- observer noun
- someone who watches or attends without taking part
- observant adjective
- quick to notice things
- observance noun
- the keeping of a rule or custom
Commonly confused: observed or observant?
observed vs observant
Observant describes a person who notices things; observed describes the thing that was noticed.
Practice
Which phrase uses observed in its holiday or custom sense?
Choose one answer.
An observed holiday is one officially marked by a day off. The other options use observed to mean seen or watched.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “observed”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.