Reading Theme:
Observation: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：act of watching carefully (observation)
observation
/ˌɒbzəˈveɪʃn/
n.
The act of watching something or someone carefully to learn something.
act of watching carefully
➕
/ækt əv ˈwɒtʃɪŋ ˈkeəfəli/
n.
The process of paying close attention to something or someone in order to gain information or understanding.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'observare' (to watch over), from 'ob-' (toward) + 'servare' (to keep).
💡 Mnemonic
Think of 'serve' in 'observation' as serving your attention to details.
📖 Example
The researcher spent hours in observation of the pandas' eating habits at the zoo.
The researcher carefully watched the pandas' eating habits for hours at the zoo.
🔗 Collocations
close observation – careful and continuous watching
under observation – being watched closely, especially in a medical or scientific context
observation period – a specific time frame during which observations are made
🔄 Synonyms
monitoring (n.) – the act of observing and checking something over a period of time
scrutiny (n.) – close and critical examination
surveillance (n.) – close observation, especially of a suspected person or area
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
observe (v.) – to watch carefully or notice
observant (adj.) – quick to notice things
observatory (n.) – a building equipped for observing astronomical events
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from Latin 'observatio', meaning 'a watching'. Historically crucial in scientific revolutions, e.g., Galileo's astronomical observations challenged geocentric views in the 17th century.
Meaning 2：insightful comment (observation)
observation
/ˌɒbzəˈveɪʃn/
n.
A comment or remark based on something you have seen or noticed.
insightful comment
➕
/ˈɪnsaɪtfʊl ˈkɒment/
n.
A remark or statement based on something noticed or perceived, often offering a perceptive perspective.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The teacher made an interesting observation about how the students worked better in groups.
The teacher shared an insightful comment based on noticing that students perform better in group work.
🔗 Collocations
keen observation – a perceptive or sharp remark
personal observation – a comment based on one's own experience
make an observation – to offer a comment or remark
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
silence (n.) – absence of speech or comment
🌱 Derivatives
observational (adj.) – relating to or based on observation
observer (n.) – a person who observes or comments
Wordbook
Your data is saved in this browser