tourist

[toor-ist]

noun

1. a person who is traveling, especially for pleasure.

2. tourist class.

adverb

1. in tourist-class accommodations, or by tourist-class conveyance.

   to travel tourist.

tourist

/ ˈtʊərɪst /

noun

1. 1. a person who travels for pleasure, usually sightseeing and staying in hotels

   2. ( as modifier )

      tourist attractions

2. a person on an excursion or sightseeing tour

3. a person travelling abroad as a member of a sports team that is playing a series of usually international matches

4. Also called: tourist class. the lowest class of accommodation on a passenger ship

adjective

1. of or relating to tourist accommodation

Other Word Forms

• nontourist noun
• touristic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tourist¹

First recorded in 1770–80; tour + -ist

Example Sentences

In the last few years, groups of foreign nationals have been traveling to the U.S. on tourist visas, then breaking into homes in affluent neighborhoods in what police call “burglary tourism.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A German football club has condemned the actions of some of their supporters after two tourists said they were attacked by fans in Dublin.

Read more on BBC

The three-time British and Irish Lions tourist made the announcement two months before the start of the Rugby World Cup, citing wear and tear on his body.

Read more on BBC

Harper's Ferry, a national park and nearby tourist draw, has been kept open with state money.

Read more on BBC

Fall tourists have strained other parts of northern New England, too.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• sightseer www.thesaurus.com
• traveler 
• visitor