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

The Daytona 500 grips over 100,000 spectators at the track and countless more watching on TV. —Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025

Preliminary plans call for a spectator north-south walkway/viewing area running between two sets of four courts. —Brent Schacherer, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025

From the cheapest seats to the most expensive, spots spectators can reserve at Caesars Superdome, here's a look at how much Super Bowl tickets cost this year. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2025

Another New York Fashion Week has officially arrived, and the new fall 2025 collections are sure to delight all fashion spectators. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 6 Feb. 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