bystander
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of bystander
First recorded in 1610–20; by- + stand ( def. ) + -er 1 ( def. )
Explanation
Someone who observes an event without taking part in it is a bystander. The police may want to interview any bystanders who witnessed a robbery, to get a description of the robber. A bystander does exactly what the word describes: they stand by, watching what's happening but not participating. You'll often hear the phrase "innocent bystander." For example, a newspaper might report on a fight breaking out after a football game, resulting in injuries to innocent bystanders. Before this word was coined around 1610, stander-by was common.
Vocabulary lists containing bystander
Mr. Popper’s Penguins
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"A Job for Valentin" and "In the Heart of a Hero"
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Because They Marched
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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.
See Examples For:
He carried on like he's a total bystander in Celtic's double-winning season, like he was an old man who wandered aimlessly into Lennoxtown and was bamboozled by what he saw.
From BBC ● Jun. 11, 2026
Another may have wounded another bystander, who is suing the city.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 9, 2026
That seems fair to me, as a bystander.
From MarketWatch ● May 8, 2026
About a month after Sheridan was arrested, prosecutors moved to dismiss the case after a bystander video surfaced showing clearly that Sheridan hadn’t assaulted Bovino.
From Salon ● Apr. 15, 2026
A bystander reported that Fischer had said, “Too early,” but Geller’s face turned red, suggesting that Fischer’s reply had been more caustic.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
Some commuters and bystanders documented encountering the group on public transit and in busy pedestrian areas, with social media posts describing confusion and unease during what was otherwise a heavily trafficked holiday weekend.
From Salon ● Jul. 5, 2026
A wave of brides and grooms made their way to MSG as bystanders stared and cheered, taxis honked and protesters gathered outside.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 27, 2026
It is after the officer and a female colleague discuss a video filmed by bystanders that Digwa is arrested.
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026
Some bystanders said they were unaware of the shooting but reported hearing fireworks earlier.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2026
He pushed me through the demonstrators, cops, and bystanders.
From "The Rock and the River" by Kekla Magoon
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.
