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passerby

noun

pass·​er·​by ˌpa-sər-ˈbī How to pronounce passerby (audio)
ˈpa-sər-ˌbī
plural passersby ˌpa-sərz-ˈbī How to pronounce passerby (audio)
ˈpa-sərz-ˌbī
: one who passes by
A passerby saw the accident and offered to help.

Examples of passerby in a Sentence

A passerby saw the accident and stopped to help. Passersby were asked if they were registered to vote.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After he was shot the man was able to flag down a passerby who stayed with him until officers got to the scene. Harry Harris, Mercury News, 26 Nov. 2025 Carr, after the passerby called central dispatch to report the vehicle, a Knox County Sheriff’s deputy arrived on the scene and then called for detectives. Sarah Dahlberg, NBC news, 26 Nov. 2025 Leutner survived the attack and was rescued by a passerby. Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 25 Nov. 2025 The last time a passerby could take in the glow was over 10 years ago, when Bob and Julie Little owned the home. Ashley Grams, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for passerby

Word History

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of passerby was in 1567

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Passerby.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/passerby. Accessed 6 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

passerby

noun
pass·​er·​by ˌpas-ər-ˈbī How to pronounce passerby (audio)
plural passersby ˌpas-ərz- How to pronounce passerby (audio)
: one who passes by

More from Merriam-Webster on passerby

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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