--- title: O — The English dictionary with trees and pragmatics · page 2 description: The 453 words of the English dictionary under O, every meaning for a pupil and every example with its dependency tree and pragmatics. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/O/page/2/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/) / [English dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/) / O # O — The English dictionary · page 2 [A](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/A/) · [B](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/B/) · [C](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/C/) · [D](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/D/) · [E](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/E/) · [F](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/F/) · [G](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/G/) · [H](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/H/) · [I](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/I/) · [J](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/J/) · [K](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/K/) · [L](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/L/) · [M](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/M/) · [N](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/N/) · [O](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/O/) · [P](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/P/) · [Q](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/Q/) · [R](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/R/) · [S](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/S/) · [T](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/T/) · [U](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/U/) · [V](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/V/) · [W](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/W/) · [X](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/X/) · [Y](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/Y/) · [Z](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/Z/) [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/O/) **2** [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/O/page/3/) … [23](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/O/page/23/) **oblation** — *In Jewish tradition, meaning 1:* A gift or offering made to God, often of grain or food, brought to the altar.[↗](../../oblation/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Bring no more vain oblations; it is an offering of abomination unto Me; new moon and sabbath, the holding of convocations — I cannot endure iniquity along with the solemn assembly.[↗](../../oblation/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") (Prophets ISA.1.13, JPS 1917)[↗](../../oblation/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") **obligation** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* An obligation is something you must do because a rule, a promise or your duty says so.[↗](../../obligation/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* An obligation is the feeling that you ought to do something, for example to help someone who helped you.[↗](../../obligation/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* (formal) In official writing, an obligation is a duty set by law or by a contract.[↗](../../obligation/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Parents have an obligation to keep their children safe.[↗](../../obligation/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · You are under no obligation to buy anything.[↗](../../obligation/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · She felt an obligation to help her neighbour after he fixed her bike.[↗](../../obligation/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Try the game free, no obligation.[↗](../../obligation/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Going to school is a legal obligation for children.[↗](../../obligation/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · He helped out of a sense of obligation, not because he wanted to.[↗](../../obligation/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · (formal) The tenant shall meet all obligations set out in this agreement.[↗](../../obligation/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · Keeping a promise is an obligation.[↗](../../obligation/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") · Better poverty without a care than wealth with its many obligations.[↗](../../obligation/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") **obligatorily** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* (formal) Because a rule or law says you must; in a way that is required, not a choice.[↗](../../obligatorily/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Seatbelts must be worn obligatorily in cars.[↗](../../obligatorily/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · In some countries, voting is done obligatorily.[↗](../../obligatorily/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Helmets are obligatorily worn on the building site.[↗](../../obligatorily/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The form must obligatorily be signed by a parent.[↗](../../obligatorily/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · All visitors obligatorily sign in at the office.[↗](../../obligatorily/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Uniform is obligatorily worn in many UK schools.[↗](../../obligatorily/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") **obligatory** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* (formal) Obligatory means something you must do because a rule or law says so; it is not a free choice.[↗](../../obligatory/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (humorous) Obligatory can describe something that always happens and is expected, as in «the obligatory selfie».[↗](../../obligatory/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Wearing a seatbelt is obligatory in the car.[↗](../../obligatory/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Swimming lessons are obligatory for every pupil.[↗](../../obligatory/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · School uniform is obligatory, the rules said.[↗](../../obligatory/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Helmets are obligatory on the climbing wall.[↗](../../obligatory/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Then came the obligatory photo with Grandma.[↗](../../obligatory/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") (humorous)[↗](../../obligatory/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The trip is not obligatory; you can choose.[↗](../../obligatory/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") **oblige** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* To oblige someone means to force them to do something by law, a rule or duty.[↗](../../oblige/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* To oblige means to help someone by doing what they ask.[↗](../../oblige/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* "I'm much obliged" (formal, old-fashioned) means "thank you very much".[↗](../../oblige/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Drivers are obliged by law to stop at red lights.[↗](../../oblige/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · I felt obliged to help after she helped me.[↗](../../oblige/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · "Could you pass the salt?" "[↗](../../oblige/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") Happy to oblige."[↗](../../oblige/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Much obliged for your help, sir.[↗](../../oblige/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The rules oblige us to wear helmets.[↗](../../oblige/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The singer obliged the fans with one more song.[↗](../../oblige/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") **obliged** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Obliged means having to do something because of a rule, law or duty.[↗](../../obliged/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *e.g.* You are obliged to wear a seat belt.[↗](../../obliged/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (formal) Obliged means thankful: «I'm much obliged to you.».[↗](../../obliged/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* (verb) To oblige someone is to help them by doing what they ask.[↗](../../obliged/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* We are obliged to wear school uniform.[↗](../../obliged/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Drivers are obliged to stop at a red light.[↗](../../obliged/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · (formal) I'm much obliged for your help.[↗](../../obliged/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · She felt obliged to say yes.[↗](../../obliged/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The shopkeeper kindly obliged and gave us a box.[↗](../../obliged/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Nobody is obliged to come to the party.[↗](../../obliged/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · And he was obliged to go accordingly.[↗](../../obliged/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") **oblique** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Oblique means slanting, not straight up and not flat; at an angle.[↗](../../oblique/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (maths) An oblique line meets another line at an angle that is not a right angle.[↗](../../oblique/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* Oblique words say something in an indirect way, not plainly.[↗](../../oblique/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 4:* (UK) An oblique is the slash sign /, as in «and/or».[↗](../../oblique/#m4 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 5:* Oblique narration (also called reported speech) means telling what someone said in your own words, without repeating their exact words.[↗](../../oblique/#m5 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The sun's rays hit the ground at an oblique angle in winter.[↗](../../oblique/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Draw an oblique line from one corner of the square.[↗](../../oblique/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · An oblique angle is either acute or obtuse.[↗](../../oblique/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The photo was taken from an oblique view above the town.[↗](../../oblique/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · She made an oblique comment about people who are always late.[↗](../../oblique/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · His answer was so oblique that nobody understood it.[↗](../../oblique/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · The ladder leaned at an oblique angle against the wall.[↗](../../oblique/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · Write the date as day oblique month in that box.[↗](../../oblique/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") · I have given him a name, and changed the narration into the oblique narration, and toned down the dialect.[↗](../../oblique/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") · The twelve simple consonants ה״ו״ז ח״ט״י ל״נ״ם ע״צ״ק symbolize also twelve oblique points: east height, north east, east depth, south height, south east, south depth, west height, south west, west depth, north height, north west, north depth.[↗](../../oblique/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877)[↗](../../oblique/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") **obliterated** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Destroyed completely so that nothing is left.[↗](../../obliterated/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* Covered or hidden so that it cannot be seen, as in "footprints obliterated by snow".[↗](../../obliterated/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* (informal) Beaten very badly in a game.[↗](../../obliterated/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The town was obliterated by the volcano.[↗](../../obliterated/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Snow obliterated our footprints.[↗](../../obliterated/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The meteor was obliterated as it burned up in the atmosphere.[↗](../../obliterated/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The old writing on the stone was nearly obliterated.[↗](../../obliterated/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · We got obliterated 10–0 in the final\![↗](../../obliterated/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") (informal)[↗](../../obliterated/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The flood obliterated the bridge.[↗](../../obliterated/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · Her sad memory was obliterated by the happy news.[↗](../../obliterated/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · A light fall of snow had obliterated all footmarks; and a deathly silence pervaded the island, as if for a space Nature stood still in horror of the recent carnage.[↗](../../obliterated/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") **oblivion** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* The state of being completely forgotten: the old song fell into oblivion.[↗](../../oblivion/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* The state of not knowing or noticing what is happening around you, as in deep sleep.[↗](../../oblivion/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* Being destroyed or wiped out completely.[↗](../../oblivion/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The old castle had fallen into oblivion.[↗](../../oblivion/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Many toys from long ago have passed into oblivion.[↗](../../oblivion/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Tired out, Mole sank into the oblivion of sleep.[↗](../../oblivion/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The tiny shop was saved from oblivion by the new owners.[↗](../../oblivion/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The planet in the film was blasted into oblivion.[↗](../../oblivion/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Her brave story should not be lost to oblivion.[↗](../../oblivion/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · Sink down into his grave--into oblivion--ye terrible shapes of the times of old\![↗](../../oblivion/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") **oboe** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* An oboe is a woodwind musical instrument shaped like a long thin tube, played by blowing through a double reed, which makes a clear, slightly sharp sound.[↗](../../oboe/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* My sister plays the oboe in the school orchestra.[↗](../../oboe/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · In «Peter and the Wolf», the oboe is the duck.[↗](../../oboe/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The oboe plays a note A so the whole orchestra can tune.[↗](../../oboe/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · An oboe has a double reed made of cane.[↗](../../oboe/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The oboe solo sounded sad and beautiful.[↗](../../oboe/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Learning the oboe takes a lot of breath control.[↗](../../oboe/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · An oboe player is called an oboist.[↗](../../oboe/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") **oboist** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A person who plays the oboe, a woodwind instrument with a double reed.[↗](../../oboist/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The oboist played the tuning note for the orchestra.[↗](../../oboist/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · My sister wants to be an oboist.[↗](../../oboist/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The oboist practised the solo all week.[↗](../../oboist/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · An oboist makes her own reeds from cane.[↗](../../oboist/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The duck's tune in "Peter and the Wolf" is played by the oboist.[↗](../../oboist/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The orchestra has two oboists.[↗](../../oboist/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") **obscene** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Obscene means very rude and shocking, especially about sex or the body, and not acceptable in public.[↗](../../obscene/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* Obscene also means shockingly unfair or too much, as in «an obscene amount of money».[↗](../../obscene/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Obscene language is not allowed at school.[↗](../../obscene/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · If you see obscene pictures online, tell a trusted adult.[↗](../../obscene/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · He made an obscene gesture and got a red card.[↗](../../obscene/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · They spent an obscene amount on a car.[↗](../../obscene/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · It's obscene that food is thrown away while people go hungry.[↗](../../obscene/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The film was cut for obscene scenes.[↗](../../obscene/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") **obscenity** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A very rude or offensive word, especially a swear word.[↗](../../obscenity/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* Something shockingly offensive or rude.[↗](../../obscenity/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* Something morally shocking or wrong, as in "War is an obscenity" or "the obscenity of hunger in a rich world".[↗](../../obscenity/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The angry driver shouted obscenities out of the window.[↗](../../obscenity/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Obscenities are not allowed in the school playground.[↗](../../obscenity/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The referee sent off the player for using an obscenity.[↗](../../obscenity/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The newspaper said wasting food while people starve is an obscenity.[↗](../../obscenity/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The graffiti was full of obscenities, so the council cleaned it off.[↗](../../obscenity/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Some people think huge bonuses are an obscenity.[↗](../../obscenity/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") **obscure** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* (adjective) Not well known (an obscure singer, an obscure village).[↗](../../obscure/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (adjective) Hard to understand; not clear.[↗](../../obscure/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* (verb) To hide something or make it hard to see (clouds obscured the moon).[↗](../../obscure/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 4:* (verb) To make something hard to understand.[↗](../../obscure/#m4 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Clouds obscured the moon.[↗](../../obscure/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · He likes obscure bands nobody has heard of.[↗](../../obscure/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The meaning of the old poem is obscure.[↗](../../obscure/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The parked van obscured our view of the road.[↗](../../obscure/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Fog obscured the top of the mountain.[↗](../../obscure/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · That's an obscure fact about frogs\![↗](../../obscure/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · A big tree obscures the sign.[↗](../../obscure/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · Heavy clouds obscured the sky, and the Moon did not make his appearance at all.[↗](../../obscure/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") · For it was originally written in an obscure half-mystical style.[↗](../../obscure/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914))[↗](../../obscure/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") **obscurity** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* The state of being hidden, unknown or unclear.[↗](../../obscurity/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* The state of not being famous or well known.[↗](../../obscurity/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The origin of the tale is in obscurity.[↗](../../obscurity/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · He lived in obscurity until the book was found.[↗](../../obscurity/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The old song fell into obscurity.[↗](../../obscurity/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of a book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.[↗](../../obscurity/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") (Prophets ISA.29.18, JPS 1917)[↗](../../obscurity/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") **observable** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Observable means able to be seen or noticed.[↗](../../observable/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (science) An observable fact is one you can check by looking, measuring or testing.[↗](../../observable/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The change in colour was easily observable.[↗](../../observable/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Write down every observable change.[↗](../../observable/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The observable universe is the part we can see from Earth.[↗](../../observable/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · There was no observable difference between the two plants.[↗](../../observable/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Melting ice is an observable change of state.[↗](../../observable/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Bacteria are not observable without a microscope.[↗](../../observable/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") **observance** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Following or obeying a law, rule or custom: «observance of the rules».[↗](../../observance/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (church, religion) Keeping a religious day or practice, such as resting on the Sabbath or fasting in Ramadan.[↗](../../observance/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* A ceremony or ritual held to mark a special day: «religious observances».[↗](../../observance/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Observance of the Sabbath means resting on that day.[↗](../../observance/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Her family's religious observance includes daily prayer.[↗](../../observance/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The school closed in observance of the holiday.[↗](../../observance/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Strict observance of the rules kept everyone safe.[↗](../../observance/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Fasting is an important observance in Ramadan.[↗](../../observance/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Different churches have different observances in Lent.[↗](../../observance/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · Many of these fables are characterized by the strictest observance of these rules.[↗](../../observance/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") **observation** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Observation is watching something carefully to learn about it.[↗](../../observation/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* An observation is something you noticed or recorded, often in science.[↗](../../observation/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* An observation is a remark or comment about something you noticed.[↗](../../observation/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 4:* Under observation means being watched carefully, for example by doctors.[↗](../../observation/#m4 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Write down your observations in the table.[↗](../../observation/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Observation of the birds showed they came every morning.[↗](../../observation/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · My observation is that the ice melted faster in the sun.[↗](../../observation/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The doctor kept her under observation overnight.[↗](../../observation/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · She has great powers of observation.[↗](../../observation/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Our observation lasted ten minutes.[↗](../../observation/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · That's an interesting observation, Jack.[↗](../../observation/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · We made 12 observations, one every 5 minutes, so the test lasted an hour.[↗](../../observation/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") · He always coughed before he made any observation, so as to attract attention.[↗](../../observation/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") **observatory** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* An observatory is a building with big telescopes and instruments for watching and studying stars, planets and space.[↗](../../observatory/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* An observatory is a place for watching and recording weather, earthquakes, birds or other natural things.[↗](../../observatory/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* We visited the observatory and looked at Saturn's rings.[↗](../../observatory/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · The Royal Observatory in Greenwich marks the Prime Meridian.[↗](../../observatory/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Observatories are built on mountains, away from city lights.[↗](../../observatory/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The observatory's dome slid open at night.[↗](../../observatory/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Scientists at the observatory discovered a new comet.[↗](../../observatory/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The weather observatory records rain every day.[↗](../../observatory/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") **observe** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* To observe is to watch something carefully to learn about it.[↗](../../observe/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* To observe can mean to notice or see something.[↗](../../observe/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* (formal) To observe a rule or law is to obey it.[↗](../../observe/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 4:* (formal) To observe a special day is to keep or celebrate it.[↗](../../observe/#m4 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 5:* (formal) To observe can mean to say or remark.[↗](../../observe/#m5 "tree and pragmatics") *Early Modern English, meaning 1:* In the Torah it means keep or obey (a day or rule); in the fairy tales it can mean watch or notice.[↗](../../observe/#m6 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* We observed the caterpillar every day for two weeks.[↗](../../observe/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Observe what happens when you add vinegar to the baking soda.[↗](../../observe/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Did you observe anything strange?[↗](../../observe/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Drivers must observe the speed limit near schools.[↗](../../observe/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The whole school observed a minute's silence.[↗](../../observe/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · «It looks like rain,» she observed.[↗](../../observe/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · Astronomers observe the stars through telescopes.[↗](../../observe/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · Write down everything you observe in your science book.[↗](../../observe/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") · The lamp burnt out, but he did not observe it.[↗](../../observe/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") · Observe the sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD thy God commanded thee.[↗](../../observe/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") (Torah DEU.5.12, JPS 1917)[↗](../../observe/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") · And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.[↗](../../observe/#x11 "tree and pragmatics") (Torah EXO.12.24, JPS 1917)[↗](../../observe/#x11 "tree and pragmatics") · And ye shall observe all My statutes, and all Mine ordinances, and do them: I am the LORD.[↗](../../observe/#x12 "tree and pragmatics") (Torah LEV.19.37, JPS 1917)[↗](../../observe/#x12 "tree and pragmatics") · That they might keep His statutes, and observe His laws.[↗](../../observe/#x13 "tree and pragmatics") (Writings PSA.105.45, JPS 1917)[↗](../../observe/#x13 "tree and pragmatics") · Oh that my ways were directed to observe Thy statutes\![↗](../../observe/#x14 "tree and pragmatics") (Writings PSA.119.5, JPS 1917)[↗](../../observe/#x14 "tree and pragmatics") · I will observe Thy statutes; O forsake me not utterly.[↗](../../observe/#x15 "tree and pragmatics") (Writings PSA.119.8, JPS 1917)[↗](../../observe/#x15 "tree and pragmatics") · Observe the sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD thy God commanded thee.[↗](../../observe/#x16 "tree and pragmatics") (Torah DEU.5.12, JPS 1917) · The good child undresses, but observe this\![↗](../../observe/#x17 "tree and pragmatics") (The Red Fairy Book) · And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.[↗](../../observe/#x18 "tree and pragmatics") (Torah EXO.12.24, JPS 1917) [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/O/) **2** [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/O/page/3/) … [23](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/O/page/23/) - ← previous: 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