Definition
Someone who watches for or detects something specific, like a military observer finding enemy positions, or a person who helps ensure safety during exercise.
Etymology
From 'spot' (to see, identify), derived from Old Norse origins, combined with the agent suffix '-er' (one who does). The term developed during WWI for military observers.
Kelly Says
Aircraft spotters were obsessed hobbyists who could identify planes by silhouette alone during WWII, and their network of enthusiasts actually provided valuable intelligence—proving that passionate amateurs can rival professional detection systems, which is why the hobby still thrives today.
Translations
AMአማርኛ
መከላከያ
me-ke-la-ka-ya
ARالعربية
مراقب
muraa-kib
CACatalà
observador
oh-b-ser-va-dor
CSČeština
pozorovatele
po-zo-ro-va-te-le
DADansk
observatør
oh-b-ser-va-tohr
DEDeutsch
Beobachter
bay-oh-bahk-ter
ELΕλληνικά
παρατηρητής
pa-ra-the-ri-tis
ESEspañol
observador
oh-bser-va-dor
FAفارسی
نگهبان
na-ga-baan
FISuomi
havaintoja
ha-vain-toi-a
FRFrançais
observateur
oh-b-r-va-t-r
HUMagyar
megfigyelő
meg-fig-yel-o
IDBahasa Indonesia
pengamat
pen-ga-mat
ITItaliano
osservatore
oss-er-va-tore
MSBahasa Melayu
pengamat
pen-ga-mat
NLNederlands
waarnemer
var-ne-mer
NONorsk
observatør
oh-b-ser-va-tohr
PTPortuguês
observador
oh-b-r-va-dor
RORomână
observator
oh-b-ser-va-tor
RUРусский
наблюдатель
na-blyu-da-tel'
SVSvenska
observatör
oh-b-ser-va-tohr
SWKiswahili
mtazamo
m-ta-za-mo
TAதமிழ்
கண்காணிப்பாளர்
gan-ka-ni-ppa-la-r
TEతెలుగు
సాక్షి
sa-ak-shi
THไทย
ผู้สังเกต
poo-sang-get
TLTL
taga-panood
ta-ga-pa-noo-od
TRTürkçe
gözlemci
yoz-lem-chi
UKУкраїнська
спостерігач
spo-steri-gach
URاردو
نگہ نگار
na-ga-na-gar
VITiếng Việt
người quan sát
ngoo-ee quan-sat
ZUZU
umshayeli
oom-sha-ye-li