observant

comparative more observant · superlative most observant

1. Alert and paying close attention; watchful.

   The observant police officer noticed that my tax disk was out-of-date.

2. Diligently attentive in observing a law, custom, duty or principle; regardful; mindful.

   I was normally observant of the local parking restrictions.

   2 more examples

   We are told how observant Alexander was of his master Aristotle.

   1644, Kenelme [i.e., Kenelm] Digby, Two Treatises. In the One of which, the Nature of Bodies; in the Other, the Nature of Mans Soule; is Looked into: In Way of Discovery, of the Immortality of Reasonable Soules, Paris: […] Gilles Blaizot, →OCLC

   They also profess Buddhism, but are not so observant of its customs, nor are there so many monasteries and Lamas to be met with as in the other part of Bhutan.

   1909, John Claude White, Sikhim and Bhutan, page 13

3. Practicing a religion.

   She is an observant Catholic who goes to church regularly.

   Synonyms: pious, practicing, religionary, Allah-fearing, devout, devoutful, frum, godfearing

plural Observants

1. A member of a Franciscan order that strictly observes the rules of St. Francis.

   Synonyms: Observantine