What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
percipient
Example
She was a percipient judge of character, able to see through people's facades. [percipient: adjective]
Example
His percipient analysis of the situation helped us avoid a potential disaster. [percipient: noun]
observant
Example
She was an observant detective, noticing small details that helped solve the case. [observant: adjective]
Example
He was always observant of his surroundings, never missing a beat. [observant: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Observant is more commonly used than percipient in everyday language. Observant is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while percipient is less common and more formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between percipient and observant?
Percipient is more formal and less commonly used in casual conversation, while observant is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.