bystander

noun
UK: /ˈbaɪˌstændə(r)/
US: /ˈbaɪˌstændər/

  1. A person who is present at an event or incident but does not take part.

    1. A bystander saw the car crash downtown.
    2. Several bystanders witnessed the robbery but were too afraid to intervene.

  2. Someone who stands near and watches something happen without getting involved.

    1. The bystander just watched the fight happen.
    2. As a bystander to the unfolding drama, he felt helpless and frustrated.

Synonyms

onlooker witness observer spectator

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "bystander" in English means: A person who is present at an event or incident but does not take part., Someone who stands near and watches something happen without getting involved..

The phonetic transcription of "bystander" is /ˈbaɪˌstændə(r)/ in British English and /ˈbaɪˌstændər/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "bystander": onlooker, witness, observer, spectator.

Example usage of "bystander": "A bystander saw the car crash downtown.". More examples on the page.