observe

Universal Words verb (not used in the progressive tenses) (formal) 1 to see or notice sb/sth: [VN] Have you observed any changes lately? * All the characters in the novel are closely observed (= seem like people in real life). * I want you to observe all the details. * [VNinf] The police observed a man enter the bank. * [VN-ing] They observed him entering the bank. * [Vthat] She observed that all the chairs were already occupied. * [VNtoinf] He was observed to follow her closely. HELPNOTE This pattern is only used in the passive. 2 to watch sb/sth carefully, especially to learn more about them: [VN] I felt he was observing everything I did. * The patients were observed over a period of several months. * [Vwh-] They observed how the parts of the machine fitted together. * [V] He observes keenly, but says little. 3 (formal) to make a remark: [Vthat] She observed that it was getting late. [also Vspeech] 4 [VN] to obey rules, laws, etc: Will the rebels observe the ceasefire? 5 [VN] (formal) to celebrate festivals, birthdays, etc: Do they observe Christmas?