Synonyms

passerby

American

[pas-er-bahy, -bahy, pah-ser-] / ˈpæs ərˈbaɪ, -ˌbaɪ, ˈpɑ sər- /

Or passer-by

noun

plural

passersby

a person passing by.

Etymology

Origin of passerby

1560–70; pass by + -er ¹, with postposing of the particle

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.

As the tram careens past, a delivery man can been seen leaping to safety from his bicycle, while a passerby also races out of the way.

From Barron's • Feb. 27, 2026

Any prudent passerby would think twice before approaching a clearing with a tower made of hundreds of skulls at its center.

From Salon • Jan. 23, 2026

Previously we cited Ahmed al-Ahmed, the Muslim passerby who disarmed a terrorist for a time.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 16, 2025

"It's interesting because not that many things get vandalised around here," says Lucia, a passerby who lives in the city.

From BBC • Dec. 10, 2025

The brightest light came from within houses, or the occasional passerby who made his way holding a flaming rush or lantern before him.

From "Crispin: The Cross of Lead" by Avi

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