tourist

noun

tour·​ist ˈtu̇r-ist 

1

: one that makes a tour for pleasure or culture

2

: tourist class

tourist adjective or adverb

Synonyms

• excursionist
• rubberneck
• rubbernecker
• sightseer
• traveler
• traveller
• tripper [chiefly British]

Examples of tourist in a Sentence

The museums attract a lot of tourists.

In the summer the town is filled with tourists.

The tourists defeated the home side.

Recent Examples on the Web

As the Kansas City region prepares to welcome – and house – thousands of tourists for the 2026 World Cup, tax guidelines for short-term rental properties across Jackson County are temporarily changing in property owners’ favor. —Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2025

Today, Natchez is a popular spot for tourists interested in these home walkthroughs. —Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025

When Police Chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) tries to shut down the beloved beach that brings thousands of tourists to the town, he's met with resistance by Mayor Larry Vaughn (Murray Hamilton) and the town. —Caroline Blair, People.com, 20 June 2025

Note that the forthcoming tourist tax isn’t a nationwide mandate. —Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 20 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tourist

• tourist attractions
• tourist card
• tourist class
• tourist court
• tourist season
• tourist trap

Rhymes for tourist

• jurist
• purest
• purist
• surest

Kids Definition

tourist

noun

tour·​ist ˈtu̇r-əst 

: a person who travels for pleasure

tourist adjective