spectator

noun

spec·​ta·​tor ˈspek-ˌtā-tər 

spek-ˈtā-

1

: one who looks on or watches

2

: a shoe having contrasting colors with a perforated design at the toe and sometimes heel

spectator adjective

spectatorial

ˌspek-tə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 

adjective

spectatorship

ˈspek-ˌtā-tər-ˌship 

spek-ˈtā-

noun

Synonyms

• bystander
• observer
• onlooker
• viewer
• watcher

Examples of spectator in a Sentence

The spectators lining the road cheered the racers on.

The accident attracted a large crowd of spectators.

I wasn't a participant in the preparations, merely a spectator.

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the plan’s mode breakdown, the city anticipates that 4,400, or 40%, of soccer spectators will arrive at White Stadium by a satellite parking shuttle, while another 2,200, or 20%, will arrive by shuttles from MBTA stations. —Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 25 June 2025

The number of spectators through Sunday's matches (1,094,686) have averaged 36,490 per game. —Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025

Last year, over 300,000 people visited the circuit, with around 80 per cent of spectators arriving from abroad. —Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025

With the Club World Cup entering its second week, fans and spectators from around the world are learning just how chaotic summer weather can be in the United States. —Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 22 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from spectare to watch

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing spectator

• spectator sport

Kids Definition

spectator

noun

spec·​ta·​tor ˈspek-ˌtāt-ər 

spek-ˈtāt-

: a person who looks on (as at a sports event)

spectator adjective