spectator

noun

spec·​ta·​tor ˈspek-ˌtā-tər 

spek-ˈtā-

1

: one who looks on or watches

2

: a shoe having contrasting colors with a perforated design at the toe and sometimes heel

spectator adjective

spectatorial

ˌspek-tə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 

adjective

spectatorship

ˈspek-ˌtā-tər-ˌship 

spek-ˈtā-

noun

Synonyms

• bystander
• observer
• onlooker
• viewer
• watcher

Examples of spectator in a Sentence

The spectators lining the road cheered the racers on.

The accident attracted a large crowd of spectators.

I wasn't a participant in the preparations, merely a spectator.

Recent Examples on the Web

Many of the rituals that once brought the community together—the Kiwanis Club Ice Fishing Derby, fiddling contests so explosive that spectators sometimes came to blows—have faded away. —Chelsea Edgar, The New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2025

The El Paso County Coroner’s Office identified the spectator as Wade Langston, 57. —Patrick Smith, NBC News, 28 Jan. 2025

The hammer cleared the certified barriers and struck one of the spectators in the stands. —Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 27 Jan. 2025

The bullet-riddled car that hit the spectator was later recovered in the area, authorities said. —Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from spectare to watch

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing spectator

• spectator sport

Kids Definition

spectator

noun

spec·​ta·​tor ˈspek-ˌtāt-ər 

spek-ˈtāt-

: a person who looks on (as at a sports event)

spectator adjective