observance
gb/əbzˈɚvəns/ us/əbzˈɚvəns/
B2
English
~ 8700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
B2
action
1
act of following rules or customs
The act of doing what a law, rule, or custom says you should do.
Usage pattern:
observance of [law/rule/custom]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "observance" with "observation." "Observance" means following rules or customs (e.g., "observance of the law"), while "observation" usually means watching something or a comment based on what you have seen (e.g., "a sharp observation").
Synonyms
compliance (More strongly associated with obeying official rules, laws, or standards, especially in business or legal contexts.)
Antonyms
violation (Focuses on breaking a law or rule instead of following it.)
Collocations
strict observance
|careful observance
|full observance
|observance of the law
|observance of safety regulations
|in observance of
Themes
law
|society
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The company insists on strict observance of all safety regulations.
- Full observance of the ceasefire agreement is essential for peace talks to continue.
- Out of respect, they requested observance of the dress code during the ceremony.
- The observance of traffic laws is taken very seriously in this country.
Learner examples
- Observance of the rules is important in this school.
- Good observance of safety laws can prevent accidents.
- The observance of local customs made their visit more welcome.
unknown
B2
event
2
ceremony marking a special occasion
A ceremony or special event held to remember or mark a religious day or important event.
Usage pattern:
an observance of [holiday/event]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "observance" in this sense means simply "observation" (watching). Here it means a ceremony or event to mark a day, not just looking at something.
Synonyms
ceremony (General word for a formal event; "observance" usually suggests a religious or official reason and a sense of duty or tradition.)
Antonyms
disregard (Suggests failing to hold or take part in a ceremony or mark an occasion that might normally be remembered.)
Collocations
religious observance
|holiday observance
|public observance
|official observance
|annual observance
|a day of observance
Themes
religion
|culture
Examples
- Many businesses close in observance of the national holiday.
- The town held a quiet observance of Memorial Day in the central square.
- Families gathered at the temple for the evening observance of the festival.
- The school organized a special observance to mark the anniversary of the peace agreement.
Learner examples
- The city has a public observance on this holiday.
- People went to church for the Christmas observance.
- There was a short observance at the monument in the park.
Noun
C1
property
3
level of religious practice
How much a person follows the rules and customs of their religion in daily life.
Usage pattern:
religious observance among [group]
Synonyms
religious practice (More everyday and transparent; "observance" sounds slightly more formal and is used more in surveys, reports, or discussions of behavior.)
Antonyms
secularism (Refers to living with little or no religious observance or influence.)
Collocations
religious observance
|level of observance
|strict observance
|Orthodox observance
|Jewish observance
|degree of observance
Themes
religion
|society
Examples
- Levels of religious observance have fallen sharply among young adults.
- In this community, strict observance is expected of all members.
- The survey compared rates of religious observance in urban and rural areas.
- Her family maintained a high level of observance despite living in a largely secular country.
Learner examples
- Religious observance is very strong in that village.
- Some students have low religious observance, and some have high observance.
- The report talks about changes in religious observance over time.
Noun
literary
C2
action
4
careful watching or attention
The act of looking at something very carefully and paying attention to it.
Usage pattern:
under close observance
Common mistake:
Learners should normally use "observation" for this idea. Using "observance" for watching something can sound old-fashioned or unnatural in modern English.
Synonyms
observation ("Observation" is the normal modern word; "observance" in this sense is rare and mainly literary or old-fashioned.)
Antonyms
inattention (Means not watching or not paying attention.)
Collocations
under close observance
|with careful observance
|observance of his behavior
Themes
core_vocabulary
Examples
- The prisoner was kept under constant observance by the guards.
- Through quiet observance of her habits, he learned her daily routine.
- Such details are revealed only by long and patient observance.
Learner examples
- The patient was under close observance in the hospital.
- With careful observance, the scientist wrote down every small change.
- His observance of her face showed that he was worried.
Grammar
Dictionary form
observance
IPA
GB/əbzˈɚvəns/
US/əbzˈɚvəns/
Syllables & stress
ob - serv - ance (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (serv)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: observance
- Plural: observance, observances
Word family
Forms
observances
noun
Core family
Related words
observable
adjective B2
observatory
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
unobservant
adjective
unobservable
adjective
Advanced or less common
observational
adjective C1
non-observance
noun
Expressions
day of observance
1/dˈeɪ əv əbzˈɚvəns/
fixed phrase
official day to mark something
A special day that is officially used to remember or honor an event, idea, or person.
Examples
- The government declared a national day of observance for the late president.
- Many schools hold activities on this day of observance to teach students about human rights.
in observance of
1/ˈɪn əbzˈɚvəns əv/
fixed phrase
formal
as a sign of respect for
Used to say that something is done, or not done, to follow or show respect for a law, rule, holiday, or tradition.
Examples
- The office will be closed on Monday in observance of the national holiday.
- They held a minute of silence in observance of the victims.
- Shops turn off their music on this day in observance of the religious festival.
religious observance
1/ɹɪlˈɪd͡ʒəs əbzˈɚvəns/
fixed phrase
ceremonies and practices of a religion
The things people do because of their religion, such as going to services, praying, and following special rules or holidays.
Examples
- The university makes allowances for religious observance during exam periods.
- Her life is strongly shaped by religious observance and community traditions.