standee

[ stan-dee ]

noun

1. a person who stands, as a passenger in a train, a spectator at a theater, etc., either because all the seats are taken or because standing room is cheaper than a seat.

standee

/ stænˈdiː /

noun

1. a person who stands, esp when there are no vacant seats

Word History and Origins

Origin of standee¹

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30; stand + -ee

Example Sentences

With the chairs in the orchestra pit, our auditorium seats over six hundred, and there are people packed into the aisles, and rows of standees at the back.

From Literature

In Britain, Celtic of Glasgow began allowing a few thousand standees in the 2016-17 season.

From New York Times

Same if you want an Omen T-shirt, a Chucky standee or an autograph from the director of Human Centipede II.

From Washington Times

The tapes also captured prolonged tensions between standees up front and people seated behind them who couldn’t see: “Sit down!”

From New York Times

A winter ski jacket and a “Love Me Tender” theater lobby standee also were sold.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• bystander
• fan
• moviegoer
• observer
• onlooker
• sports fan
• theatergoer
• viewer