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.
An unidentified man was rescued Saturday night from a trench at a Wheat Ridge construction site after a passerby heard his cries for help. Logan Smith, CBS News, 14 June 2026 The state fire marshal’s office said a passerby discovered the blaze after nearby boat occupants heard a smoke alarm go off. The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Sun, 8 June 2026 In the video, Sara approaches the bus after realizing someone inside the bus' cargo hold is trying to get a passerby's attention. Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026 Both may elicit fear in unsuspecting passerby. Literary Hub, 26 May 2026 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 19 Jun. 2026.

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

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