Meaning & use

spectator

noun·Everyday

A person who watches an event, performance, or activity without taking part in it.

See it in a sentence

The spectators cheered loudly as the cyclists sprinted toward the finish line.

A single spectator can sometimes affect a game by heckling the players.

A note on using this word

Spectator specifically implies watching a scheduled event like a game or show, unlike the more general onlooker.

Words with a similar meaning

onlookerviewerobserver

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

participant

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “spectator”, then compare your use with the examples above.

Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.