viewer

[ vyoo-er ]

noun

1. a person or thing that views.
2. a person who watches television, often a devotee of television or of a particular kind of television program:

   a weekly show aimed at teenage viewers.

3. any of various optical devices to facilitate viewing, view, especially one that is small and boxlike with a magnifying lens, and sometimes a light source, in which a photographic transparency may be viewed.
4. an eyepiece or viewfinder.
5. an official inspector of property, public works, or the like.

viewer

/ ˈvjuːə /

noun

1. a person who views something, esp television
2. any optical device by means of which something is viewed, esp one used for viewing photographic transparencies
3. law a person appointed by a court to inspect and report upon property, etc

Derived Forms

• ˈviewership, noun

Other Words From

• non·viewer noun
• under·viewer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of viewer¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; view, -er ¹

Example Sentences

One viewer noted the many gunfight scenes involving Alec Baldwin could be distracting.

From BBC

But a growing number of cable TV viewers have been cancelling their subscriptions and moving on to streaming platforms.

From BBC

While she was a casual viewer of “Beverly Hills,” and she knew, to varying degrees, members of its cast, she hadn’t ever considered being a part of it.

From Los Angeles Times

The event was Netflix’s first foray into streaming a live sporting event, and many viewers complained on social media about losing the feed and buffering.

From Los Angeles Times

Audiences on Netflix have embraced international programming as viewers have become increasingly accustomed to reading subtitles at home.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• observer
• onlooker
• spectator
• watcher