passerby

or pass·er-by

[ pas-er-bahy, -bahy, pah-ser- ]

noun

, plural pass·ers·by [pas, -erz-, bahy, -bahy, pah, -serz-],

1. a person passing by.

Word History and Origins

Origin of passerby¹

1560–70; pass by + -er ¹, with postposing of the particle

Example Sentences

A passerby threw a comment in Flake’s direction: “RINO!” — short for “Republican in name only.”

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

Environmental groups say the testing demonstrates that these chemicals are drifting into nearby communities and being inhaled by passersby.

From Los Angeles Times

A passerby called 911 to report flooding in the 600 block of Formosa Avenue shortly after 3:45 a.m., a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson said.

From Los Angeles Times

A passerby called 911 to report flooding in the 600 block of Formosa Avenue shortly after 3:45 a.m., according to a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• eyewitness
• observer
• onlooker
• spectator