Onlooker - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
An onlooker is a person who watches an event or situation without being directly involved. They observe from a distance, often as a spectator or bystander.
Definition:
A person who watches an event without participating in it.
Synonyms:
spectator, observer, bystander, watcher
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
participant, actor
Common Collocations:
curious onlooker, passive onlooker, crowd of onlookers
Derivatives:
onlooking, onlooked
Usage Tips:
Use "onlooker" to describe someone observing an event without involvement; often implies passivity or detachment.
Common Phrases:
mere onlooker, silent onlooker, helpless onlooker
Etymology:
Derived from "on" + "look," meaning someone who looks upon something from the late 16th century.
Examples:
- 1. The crowd of onlookers grew as the accident unfolded.
- 2. She remained a silent onlooker during the heated debate.
- 3. The police asked the onlookers to step back for safety.
- 4. An eager onlooker snapped photos of the celebrity walking by.