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

And Hailey Bieber certainly wasn't going to let the occasion pass without wowing onlookers in a runway-ready outfit. — Marci Robin, Allure, 3 Nov. 2026

Follow live updates on the midterm elections The news has raised alarm among voters and onlookers. — Jane Lytvynenko, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2026

Such slogans hinted at extortion, and onlookers were unimpressed. — Cal Revely-Calder, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026

In the Tuscan port of Marina di Carrara, the six-deck, 465-foot superyacht Scheherazade is docked behind high walls to keep it both safe and hidden from curious onlookers. — Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 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