unobservant

IPA/ˌʌn.əbˈzɜː.vənt/
IPA/ˌʌn.əbˈzɝː.vənt/

unobservant — adjective

  • unobservantpositive
  • more unobservantcomparative
  • most unobservantsuperlative

1. not noticing what is happening around you, or not paying attention to details in

1.形容詞B2
釋義

not noticing what is happening around you, or not paying attention to details in a way that people might expect you to — for example, missing a friend in a crowd, or failing to see that a traffic light has changed

例句

Kim was unobservant of the rain starting because she was lost in her book.

pattern: unobservant + of + noun phrase

An unobservant witness might miss important details like a scar or a tattoo.

同義詞
  • inattentive

    more common in everyday speech; focuses on not paying attention rather than not seeing

  • oblivious

    stronger; suggests being completely unaware of something obvious

  • unseeing

    more literary; suggests the eyes are open but the mind does not register what is there

反義詞
  • observant

    the direct opposite; quick to notice things

  • attentive

    actively paying careful attention

用法筆記

Describes a general tendency or personality trait, not a single moment of inattention. For a specific failure to notice something, use ‘did not notice’ or ‘failed to see’ instead.

常見錯誤

❌She was unobservant of the time and arrived late.
✅She did not notice the time and arrived late.
💡'unobservant' describes a general lack of attentiveness, not a specific failure to notice one thing.

2. not carefully following the rules, customs, or teachings of your religion — for

2.形容詞C1
釋義

not carefully following the rules, customs, or teachings of your religion — for example, skipping prayers, ignoring dietary restrictions, or not attending services regularly

例句

Amir was unobservant and rarely attended mosque, unlike his devout parents.

Maria’s grandmother was sad that Maria was so unobservant during Lent.

collocation: unobservant during [religious period]

同義詞
  • non-observant

    the same meaning, sometimes used as a neutral descriptor

  • lax

    suggests a morally casual attitude, not limited to religion

  • irreligious

    broader; means not religious at all, not just lax in practice

反義詞
  • observant

    careful to follow religious rules and customs

  • devout

    deeply religious and committed to practice

用法筆記

Common in formal or academic writing about religious practice; less frequent in everyday conversation. The opposite is ‘observant’ when it means devout or dutiful in following a faith.

常見錯誤

❌He is an unobservant of kosher rules.
✅He is unobservant about kosher rules.
💡'unobservant' is an adjective and never takes a determiner before it in this sense.