visitor

[ viz-i-ter ]

noun

1. a person who visits, as for reasons of friendship, business, duty, travel, or the like.

visitor

/ ˈvɪzɪtə /

noun

1. a person who pays a visit; caller, guest, tourist, etc
2. another name for visitant

Other Words From

• pre·visi·tor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of visitor¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English visitour, from Anglo-French; Old French visiteor, from Late Latin vīsitātor, equivalent to Latin vīsitā(re) “to go to see, visit” ( visit ) + -tor -tor

Synonym Study

Visitor, caller, guest, visitant are terms for a person who comes to spend time with or stay with others, or in a place. A visitor often stays some time, for social pleasure, for business, sightseeing, etc.: a visitor at our neighbor's house. A caller comes for a brief (usually) formal visit: The caller merely left her card. A guest is anyone receiving hospitality, and the word has been extended to include anyone who pays for meals and lodging: a welcome guest; a hotel guest. Visitant applies especially to a migratory bird or to a supernatural being: a warbler as a visitant.

Example Sentences

He would be a regular visitor to her home in Frosterley Drive in Darlington, Mr Lumley said, with him first meeting Charlie in March.

From BBC

The court heard Ms Riaz did not live with Mr Sidpara but had been a regular visitor at his bungalow in Tarbat Road in Leicester since their relationship began some months before her death.

From BBC

"This has informed our decision to include a national register of all those providing visitor accommodation in Wales within the Bill."

From BBC

Under the plans councils will be given the power to introduce a small "visitor levy" to raise money.

From BBC

"Each local authority will be able to decide whether to introduce a visitor levy in its area, based on local circumstances."

From BBC

Related Words

• caller
• company
• foreigner
• guest