Meaning & use
observing
Quick to notice small details; attentive and perceptive about one's surroundings.
See it in a sentence
An observing shop assistant noticed the customer's hesitation and offered a smaller size.
Her observing nature helped her spot the error that everyone else had missed.
A note on using this word
As an adjective, observing describes a person's character; as the present participle of 'observe,' it also names the act of watching something or following a custom or rule.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Another way to use it
2. verb
Watching someone or something carefully, or following a custom, law, or occasion.
The scientists spent the night observing the migration patterns of the birds.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “observing”, then compare your use with the examples above.