spectator

[ spek-tey-ter, spek-tey- ]

noun

1. a person who looks on or watches; onlooker; observer.
2. a person who is present at and views a spectacle, display, or the like; member of an audience.
3. Also called spectator shoe. a white shoe with a perforated wing tip and back trim, traditionally of dark brown, dark blue, or black but sometimes of a lighter color.

spectator

/ spɛkˈteɪtə /

noun

1. a person viewing anything; onlooker; observer

Other Words From

• spec·ta·to·ri·al [spek-t, uh, -, tawr, -ee-, uh, l, -, tohr, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spectator¹

1580–90; < Latin spectātor, equivalent to spectā ( re ), frequentative of specere to look, regard + -tor -tor

Word History and Origins

Origin of spectator¹

C16: from Latin, from spectāre to watch; see spectacle

Example Sentences

The concentration of the pair was not even broken by two brief floodlight failures and a spectator wobbling a beer snake next to the sightscreen.

From BBC

At the beautiful Hagley Oval, its grass banks bursting with spectators, it was hard to imagine a more perfect setting for Test cricket.

From BBC

Beyond the melting shadows of the arena, gladiatrices would have heard thousands of faceless spectators howl obscenities, felt the heat of their breath, and smelled the mass of bodies raging in the night.

From Salon

By the time she returned for a second visit, the zoo had implemented a five-minute limit for spectators, after some were caught tossing water and shells to try and rouse Moo Deng.

From Los Angeles Times

Over 100 spectators gathered outside the Bullring to watch participants step forward with their best impression of Cillian Murphy's character.

From BBC

Related Words

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