passerby

noun

pass·​er·​by ˌpa-sər-ˈbī 

ˈpa-sər-ˌbī

plural passersby ˌpa-sərz-ˈbī 

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

The backpack was stolen by a passerby and has not been recovered, according to Kenny. — Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 11 Nov. 2026

The family said the remains were found last week by a passerby near Cudahy, Wisconsin. — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026

The driver pulled into a nearby parking lot and, with the help of a passerby, moved the injured bicyclist and bicycle out of the roadway, Harper said. — Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026

According to prosecutors, the suspect tried to fire at a passerby, but his rifle jammed. — Raja Krishnamoorthi, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

passerby

noun

pass·​er·​by ˌpas-ər-ˈbī 

plural passersby ˌpas-ərz- 

: one who passes by