onlooker

noun

on·​look·​er ˈȯn-ˌlu̇-kər How to pronounce onlooker (audio)
ˈän-
: one that looks on
especially : a passive spectator
onlooking adjective

Examples of onlooker in a Sentence

Curious onlookers watched the ceremony. An onlooker noticed the disturbance. A crowd of onlookers gathered at the fire.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One jubilant onlooker was Bibianna Ostrand of Pleasure Ridge Park. Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 6 Nov. 2024 Eventually, the pair were physically separated by onlookers from both Falcons and SoNNeikO’s team, AVULUS. Mike Stubbs, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024 Hundreds of onlookers, drawn to the scene by social media and WhatsApp advertisements, showed up before 2 a.m. Friday at the intersection of Orangewood Avenue and State College Boulevard in Anaheim to watch cars spin in circles, perform stunts and make lots of noise. Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024 Those ballots would be tabulated at an elections headquarters south of downtown Phoenix where security gates have been installed and fabric on fences prevents onlookers from seeing the parking lot. Richard Ruelas, The Arizona Republic, 26 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for onlooker 

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of onlooker was in 1606

Dictionary Entries Near onlooker

Cite this Entry

“Onlooker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/onlooker. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

onlooker

noun
on·​look·​er ˈȯn-ˌlu̇k-ər How to pronounce onlooker (audio)
ˈän-

More from Merriam-Webster on onlooker

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!