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beholder

American  
[bih-hohl-der] / bɪˈhoʊl dər /

noun

  1. a person who is observing or seeing something.

    What is considered offensive often lies in the eyes of the beholder.

Etymology

Origin of beholder

behold ( 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.

Victory will then be in the eye of the beholder.

From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026

But it’s important to remember that irrationality is often in the eye of the beholder.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025

Of course pragmatism lies in the eyes of the beholder.

From BBC • May 19, 2025

Besides, importance is in the eyes of the beholder.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 13, 2024

There is no right or wrong way to add body percussion to enhance the rhyme; it is all in the ear of the beholder!

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

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.