visitor

[viz-i-ter]

noun

1. a person who visits, as for reasons of friendship, business, duty, travel, or the like.

visitor

/ ˈvɪzɪtə /

noun

1. a person who pays a visit; caller, guest, tourist, etc

2. another name for visitant

Other Word Forms

• previsitor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of visitor¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English visitour, from Anglo-French; Old French visiteor, from Late Latin vīsitātor, equivalent to Latin vīsitā(re) “to go to see, visit” ( visit ) + -tor -tor

Synonym Study

Visitor, caller, guest, visitant are terms for a person who comes to spend time with or stay with others, or in a place. A visitor often stays some time, for social pleasure, for business, sightseeing, etc.: a visitor at our neighbor's house. A caller comes for a brief (usually) formal visit: The caller merely left her card. A guest is anyone receiving hospitality, and the word has been extended to include anyone who pays for meals and lodging: a welcome guest; a hotel guest. Visitant applies especially to a migratory bird or to a supernatural being: a warbler as a visitant.

Example Sentences

But Harriet Dyer strolls through the sliding doors like she’s walking into another shift at work as the soothing automated voice directs harried visitors trying to get their driver’s licenses or transfer car titles.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I see the final visitors depart, many tarrying until the last second.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

England international Smith, making his first appearance since the British and Irish Lions tour, ran in Quins' opening try and directed the aerial assault that ended the visitors' perfect league record.

Read more on Barron's

Of all ESA spacecraft, the two Mars orbiters had the best view of this rare visitor.

Read more on Science Daily

Crowding has become a testy issue around Vermont, where small towns have taken aim at intrusive leaf-peeping visitors by shutting down scenic roads and ramping up parking enforcement—even towing vehicles.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• caller 
• company 
• foreigner 
• guest