onlooker

[on-look-er, awn-]

noun

1. spectator; observer; witness.

onlooker

/ ˈɒnˌlʊkə /

noun

1. a person who observes without taking part

Other Word Forms

• onlooking adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of onlooker¹

1600–10; on + looker, after verb phrase look on

Example Sentences

The dancing made the crowd cheer and clap, which attracted even more onlookers.

Read more on Literature

At that point you are truly in a pickle, for instead of swift action there will be a lengthy discussion as onlookers try to determine which of them is best qualified to assist.

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At Lilac Hill, a dead surface was observed by a smattering of polite onlookers, most of them ex-pats.

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Stepping up to the LPGA, complete with a deep gallery of onlookers and a phalanx of Secret Service agents surrounding her, could have been daunting.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They made stacks and tunnels with the tires, crawled through them, jumped off them, knocked them over, bounced on them while onlookers watched from outside.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bystander 
• observer 
• sightseer www.thesaurus.com
• spectator 
• viewer 
• watcher