OBSERVANT

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does observant mean? 

• OBSERVANT (adjective)
  The adjective OBSERVANT has 3 senses:

1. paying close attention especially to details

2. quick to notice; showing quick and keen perception

3. (of individuals) adhering strictly to laws and rules and customs

  Familiarity information: OBSERVANT used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• OBSERVANT (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Paying close attention especially to details

Similar:

attentive ((often followed by 'to') giving care or attention)

Derivation:

observance (the act of noticing or paying attention)

observe (observe with care or pay close attention to)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Quick to notice; showing quick and keen perception

Synonyms:

observant; observing

Similar:

perceptive (having the ability to perceive or understand; keen in discernment)

Derivation:

observe (discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of)

Sense 3

Meaning:

(of individuals) adhering strictly to laws and rules and customs

Synonyms:

law-abiding; observant

Context example:

observant of the speed limit

Similar:

lawful (conformable to or allowed by law)

Derivation:

observance (conformity with law or custom or practice etc.)

observe (behave as expected during of holidays or rites)

 Context examples 

When I raised my eyes, I found that she was steadily observant of me.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I do not mean to say that I am particularly observant or quick-sighted in general, but in such a case I am sure I could not be deceived.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

He looked about more unconcernedly, sharply observant, every detail of the pretty interior registering itself on his brain.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

There was a death-struggle, during which White Fang walked around, stiff-legged and observant.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

I was too cold and too sleepy to be keenly observant, and not sleepy enough to betray my trust so altogether I had a dreary, miserable time.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

And yet the feeling grew ever stronger in my own mind that something observant and something malevolent was at our very elbow.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Elizabeth, though resenting the suspicion, might yet be made observant by it.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

But the dogs were observant, and suddenly they stopped, turning their heads and looking back at their master out of eyes that were wistful and questioning.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

With a darkening face my friend strode along the margin, eagerly observant of every muddy stain upon the mossy surface.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)