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 spectator 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 Word Forms

• spectatorial 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 games attracted about 350 competitors aged 22 to 42 and 100 spectators, and the group is already planning to hold another next year.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

McIlroy backed out of a putt at one stage because of the abuse and in a separate incident swore at a spectator who called out while he was addressing the ball.

Read more on BBC

Sharmone sent the BBC footage he filmed of drivers appearing to perform "drifting" tricks while nearly driving into crowds of spectators.

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“Leave your troubles outside,” the Emcee implores the sundry spectators.

Read more on Salon

McIlroy suffered lengthy abuse before eventually snapping by swearing at a spectator that called out while he was addressing the ball.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• bystander 
• fan 
• moviegoer www.thesaurus.com
• observer 
• onlooker 
• sports fan www.thesaurus.com
• theatergoer 
• viewer