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bystander

American  
[bahy-stan-der] / ˈbaɪˌstæn dər /

noun

  1. a person present but not involved; chance spectator; onlooker.

    Synonyms:
    sidewalk superintendent, rubberneck, witness, passerby, viewer, observer
bystander British  
/ ˈbaɪˌstændə /

noun

  1. a person present but not involved; onlooker; spectator

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of bystander

First recorded in 1610–20; by- + stand ( def. ) + -er 1 ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Goncalves told reporters a bystander "stepped in and interjected" and "that's probably what led to a swift end of this tragic event".

From BBC

Other bystanders can be heard telling both the man hitting and LaBeouf to “chill.”

From Los Angeles Times

“This defendant could have easily killed a federal officer or innocent bystander,” First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

Some turned out to be bystanders who happened to be smartly dressed.

From Barron's

Goncalves said a bystander "stepped in and interjected" and "that's probably what led to a swift end of this tragic event".

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.