Basic Details
Word: Observer
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A person who watches something carefully, or someone sent to watch an event, such as an election, without taking part.
Synonyms: watcher, onlooker, spectator, witness
Antonyms: participant
How to Spell Observer
Syllables: ob - serv - er
Tricky part: The ending is er, not or, and the middle has a v. Students write observor or drop the r of serv.
Watch out for: observor, obsever, obzerver
Memory tip: Observe already ends in e, so add just an r: observe + r = observer.
Usage Examples
Example 1: A careful observer would have seen the thief slip out of the side door.
Example 2: My uncle went to the hills as an observer of migrating birds.
Example 3: Two observers from the board sat at the back of the exam hall.
Fun Fact
The Election Commission of India sends observers, usually senior officers, to watch that polling in each area is free and fair.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the meaning of the only correctly spelt word:
1. spectater 2. observer 3. witnes 4. bystandor
a) a person who saw an event and can describe it
b) a person standing near who does not take part
c) a person who watches something carefully
d) a person watching a show or match
Show answer
c) a person who watches something carefully. Spectator ends in or, witness has a double s and bystander ends in er; observer alone is right.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word observer as used in the sentence:
As an observer at the debate, Tanvi was not allowed to speak.
a) viewer
b) participant
c) spectator
d) onlooker
Show answer
b) participant. A participant takes part in the debate instead of just watching it.
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
ob_er_er
a) z, v
b) c, v
c) s, b
d) s, v
Show answer
d) s, v. Serve sits in the middle: an s, though it sounds like z, and then a v.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. An observer at a cricket match mainly ____.
a) watches
b) bats
c) keeps wicket
d) bowls
Show answer
a) watches
2. Which job most needs a sharp observer?
a) a bell ringer
b) a wildlife photographer
c) a radio singer
d) a bus horn tester
Show answer
b) a wildlife photographer
