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

But Dollywood still takes part in Smoky Mountain Winterfest, a festival of lights that runs through the holidays and draws onlookers during the coldest months, Marr said. — Rachel Siegel, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

The dynamic duo giggled and hugged as curious onlookers took out their iPhones and started snapping away. — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Aug. 2026

The closely watched triple murder trial of Lindsay Clancy has become the latest tragic court case to grip the nation, but onlookers are sharply divided about who to blame in a case with unusually undisputed facts. — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

NBCUniversal's Peacock, for example, agreed to embed its content into YouTube Premium in a deal that many onlookers say could set a new precedent. — Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 26 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