onlooker

noun

on·​look·​er ˈȯn-ˌlu̇-kər How to pronounce onlooker (audio)
ˈän-
: one that looks on
especially : a passive spectator
onlooking adjective

Examples of onlooker in a Sentence

Curious onlookers watched the ceremony. An onlooker noticed the disturbance. A crowd of onlookers gathered at the fire.
Recent Examples on the Web As the world assesses Ukraine’s prospects and the Kremlin pushes a narrative meant to convince onlookers that it cannot be beaten, Mr. Zelensky must work equally hard to show that Ukraine can win. Marc Santora, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2024 This is totality—and the experience of it changes onlookers forever. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024 Hayden Panettiere and Wladimir Klitschko attend Art Basel Miami After a family vacation to Jerusalem in November 2016, Panettiere and Klitschko attended several events at Art Basel Miami, where onlookers told PEOPLE the couple seemed happy and in love. Julie Tremaine, Peoplemag, 7 Feb. 2024 Cars spin around intersections, burning tires and sending smoke in the air to the delight of onlookers. Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2024 Video shot by onlookers and obtained by Agence France-Presse shows two people crouching on the roof of the electric vehicle, which drifts in the water about 20 yards from the pier. Gerrit De Vynck, Washington Post, 1 Feb. 2024 Just outside the main gate to Shelby Park, news crews and internet bloggers set up live shots and curious onlookers stopped to snap selfies. USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2024 Production always had a few onlookers, but during Season 11, paparazzi and fans were everywhere. Irina Aleksander, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2024 Left guard Brady Christensen, who missed all but one game last season, could be an option, even if that might underwhelm onlookers. Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 12 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'onlooker.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of onlooker was in 1606

Dictionary Entries Near onlooker

Cite this Entry

“Onlooker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/onlooker. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

onlooker

noun
on·​look·​er ˈȯn-ˌlu̇k-ər How to pronounce onlooker (audio)
ˈän-

More from Merriam-Webster on onlooker

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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