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

Wrapped in a blue blanket, the young woman was carried to an ambulance as firefighters embraced and onlookers cheered. — CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

The media, onlookers, and even students are therefore prohibited from pointing their cameras and smartphones at students’ faces near the school grounds. — Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 13 Aug. 2026

The organization is holding its annual summer meeting, and onlookers are calling for the head of its leader, Ken Martin. — James Dinneen, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026

Wrapped in a blue blanket, the young woman was carried to a waiting ambulance as firefighters embraced and onlookers erupted in cheers. — Astrid Suarez, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 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