onlooker

[ on-look-er, awn- ]

noun

1. spectator; observer; witness.

onlooker

/ ˈɒnˌlʊkə /

noun

1. a person who observes without taking part

Derived Forms

• ˈonˌlooking, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of onlooker¹

1600–10; on + looker, after verb phrase look on

Example Sentences

Videos published on social media showed prisoners being released to cheers from onlookers.

From BBC

Sometimes, we wear clothes to communicate to onlookers; other times, we choose clothing that communicates something to ourselves.

From Salon

The headlines tolling doom have cast a shadow over the work of millions of dedicated mathematicians, entrepreneurs, engineers, artists, ecologists and community advocates and repelled onlookers, creating a profound missed opportunity to reshape philanthropy.

From Salon

Hundreds of onlookers, drawn to the scene by social media and WhatsApp advertisements, showed up before 2 a.m.

From Los Angeles Times

The swarms of people walking the streets of New York invite several passersby and onlookers to join out of sheer curiosity.

From Salon

Related Words

• bystander
• observer
• sightseer
• spectator
• viewer
• watcher