Observances — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /əb-ˈzər-vən(t)s/ ob·ser·vance

Meaning & Definition of Observances

Observances (noun)

  1. a customary practice, rite, or ceremony
  2. a rule governing members of a religious order
  3. an act or instance of following a custom, rule, or law

Observances (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the following of a custom, rule, or law

    "the observance of this family tradition would make your grandmother very happy"

    "observance of the smoking ban in public buildings"

    similar: abidances, adherences, compliances, conformances, conformities, obediences, observations
    related: deferences, honors, regards, respects, accessions, acquiescences, submissions, surrenders, attendances, attentions, heeds, notices
    opposite: breaches, contraventions, infractions, infringements, nonobservances, transgressions, trespasses, violations
    near: brush-offs, disregards, delinquencies, derelictions, neglects, offenses, sins, wrongs, challenges, defiances, rebellions

  2. an oft-repeated action or series of actions performed in accordance with tradition or a set of rules

    "some religions require very specific observances on holy days"

    similar: ceremonials, ceremonies, formalities, forms, rites, rituals, solemnities
    related: amenities, civilities, decorums, etiquettes, graces, proprieties, protocols, conventions, customs, habits, manners, mores, practices, standards, traditions, ways, celebrations, services

Related Entry: Observance (noun)

Observance is a different word from Observances. The synonyms below are for observance, not for observances.

  1. the following of a custom, rule, or law

    "the observance of this family tradition would make your grandmother very happy"

    "observance of the smoking ban in public buildings"

    similar: abidance, adherence, compliance, conformance, conformity, keeping, obedience, observation
    related: deference, honor, regard, respect, upholding, accession, acquiescence, submission, surrender, attendance, attention, heed, notice
    opposite: breach, contravention, infraction, infringement, nonobservance, transgression, trespass, violation
    near: brush-off, disregard, ignoring, delinquency, dereliction, forgetting, neglect, overlooking, offense, sin, wrong, challenge, defiance, flouting, rebellion

  2. an oft-repeated action or series of actions performed in accordance with tradition or a set of rules

    "some religions require very specific observances on holy days"

    similar: ceremonial, ceremony, form, formality, rite, ritual, solemnity
    related: amenities, civility, decorum, etiquette, graces, proprieties, protocol, convention, custom, habit, manners, mores, practice, standard, tradition, way, celebration, service

  3. a state of being aware

    "if you've been doing any significant housecleaning, it has escaped my observance"

    similar: advertence, advertency, attention, awareness, cognizance, consciousness, ear, eye, heed, knowledge, mindfulness, note, notice, observation
    related: hyperawareness, hyperconsciousness, advisement, care, concern, consideration, regard, watch, apprehension, discernment, grasp, mind, perception, recognition, thought, understanding
    near: disregard, neglect, obliviousness, unawareness

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Observances

The most common words with a similar meaning to Observances:

abidances, adherences, compliances, conformances, conformities, obediences, observations, ceremonials, ceremonies, formalities, forms, rites, rituals, solemnities

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Observances

Words with the opposite meaning of Observances:

breaches, contraventions, infractions, infringements, nonobservances, transgressions, trespasses, violations

Related Words for Observances

deferences, honors, regards, respects, accessions, acquiescences, submissions, surrenders, attendances, attentions, heeds, notices, amenities, civilities, decorums, etiquettes, graces, proprieties, protocols, conventions, customs, habits, manners, mores, practices, standards, traditions, ways, celebrations, services

Near Antonyms of Observances

brush-offs, disregards, delinquencies, derelictions, neglects, offenses, sins, wrongs, challenges, defiances, rebellions

Origin & Etymology of Observances

Middle English observaunce, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French observance, borrowed from Latin observantia "action of watching, deferential regard, adherence to rules" (Late Latin also "adherence to divine law, religious rites"), derivative of observant-, observans, present participle of observāre "to give attention to, observe"

First known use: 13th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Observances

What does "Observances" mean?

"Observances" means a customary practice, rite, or ceremony. As a noun, it is defined as: a customary practice, rite, or ceremony. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Observances"?

Other words for "Observances" include abidances, adherences, compliances, conformances, conformities, obediences, observations and ceremonials. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Observances" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Observances"?

There are 44 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Observances". Common alternatives include abidances, adherences, compliances, conformances, conformities, obediences, observations, ceremonials, ceremonies and formalities.

What is the opposite of "Observances"?

Antonyms of "Observances" include breaches, contraventions, infractions, infringements, nonobservances, transgressions, trespasses and violations. Near antonyms include brush-offs, disregards, delinquencies and derelictions.

How do you use "Observances" in a sentence?

Examples of "Observances" in a sentence: "the observance of this family tradition would make your grandmother very happy"; "observance of the smoking ban in public buildings"; "some religions require very specific observances on holy days".

Is "Observances" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Observances" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Observances"?

"Observances" is pronounced /əb-ˈzər-vən(t)s/ and divided into syllables as ob·ser·vance.

What is the origin of the word "Observances"?

"Observances" comes from Middle English observaunce, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French observance, borrowed from Latin observantia "action of watching, deferential regard, adherence to rules" (Late Latin also "adherence to divine law, religious rites"), derivative of observant-, observans, present participle of observāre "to give attention to, observe". First known use: 13th century.