onlooker

noun

on·​look·​er ˈȯn-ˌlu̇-kər 

ˈän-

: one that looks on

especially : a passive spectator

onlooking

ˈȯn-ˌlu̇-kiŋ 

ˈän-

adjective

Synonyms of onlooker

• observer
• spectator
• viewer

Examples of onlooker in a Sentence

Curious onlookers watched the ceremony.

An onlooker noticed the disturbance.

A crowd of onlookers gathered at the fire.

Recent Examples on the Web

The fact that Digger is such a big swing creatively and feels miles away from the star’s typically safer IP plays, including his forthcoming Days of Thunder 2, has garnered praise from onlookers. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026

But the sight of a man sleeping atop the shelter next to a shopping cart caught the attention of onlookers, some of whom pulled out their phones to take pictures, as first reported by KTLA. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Many onlookers came out to experience the strong ocean wind and rough seas in Marshfield. — Paul Burton, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026

But the Torcal adds a whole lot of bling with an illuminated diamond-pattern grille that will polarize onlookers. — New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for onlooker

• booker
• cooker
• looker
• rooker
• snooker

Kids Definition

onlooker

noun

on·​look·​er ˈȯn-ˌlu̇k-ər 

ˈän-

: spectator