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spectator Definition

spec·ta·tor (spek′tāt′ər, spek tāt′-)

noun

  1. a person who sees or watches something without taking an active part; onlooker
  2. a woman's shoe having two contrasting colors and with the toe and heel characteristically ornamented with perforations

Etymology: L < pp. of spectare, to behold: see spectacle

spectator Related Forms
spec′·ta′·tor·ship′ noun
spectator Synonyms

spectator

n.

beholder, viewer, onlooker, witness; see observer 1.

spectator Usage Examples

Possessives

  • hand: A key chain with a light is held over a spectator's hand.
  • selection: Let's say the spectator's selection is the 8 of Clubs.

Converse of object

  • astonish: The skeletons made their way through the astonished spectators, eventually melting into the crowd, still shouting slogans against a long-dead president.
  • entertain: Jack entertained the spectators whilst Mrs Gregory pointed out how well balanced he was for his age.
  • thrill: Inevitably, the kind of contest which thrills a spectator leaves only a chill within the heart of a manager.
  • cheer: In the course of the Games, more than 80,000 spectators cheered on the athletes across a total of 13 events.
  • ask: The magician asks the spectator to name their number for the first time.
  • attract: The beautiful day did nothing to attract spectators which made the field seem rather empty.

Adjective modifier

  • mere: They don't want to be mere spectators, or passers by.
  • idle: The role of idle spectator is unworthy of America.
  • passive: Each person is a member of the body, and consequently no one can come to a meeting as a passive spectator.
  • excited: With large numbers of sometimes excited spectators, sporting venues still have the potential for disaster, not least from fire.
  • interested: One interested spectator on Saturday was Mr John Weeks, the Chairman of the United Counties League.
  • silent: Through all those doubtful places his sense of that silent spectator beside him sustained his sincerity.

Modifies a noun

  • seating: Swimming & Swim School Swimming Stoke Mandeville Stadium offers a fully accessible 25m, 6 lane swimming pool with spectator seating for 150.
  • ion: The sulfate ions are spectator ions and play no part in the reaction.
  • viewing: What a surprise, a lovely little track set in a valley with excellent spectator viewing.
  • mode: Gamers get their chance to play to the crowd PC gamers have been enjoying spectator modes for several years.
  • stand: Their winning project was a new spectator stand for Southampton football club!
spectator Quotes

The artist is a spectator, indifferent or impassioned, at the birth of his work, and observes the phases of its development.

—Ernst, Max

La eternidad rotativa puede parecer atroz al espectador; es satisfactoria para sus individuos. Libres de malas noticias y de enfermedades, viven siempre como si fuera la primera vez, sin recordar las anteriores. A circular eternity may seem atrocious to the spectator, but it is satisfactory to individuals inside. Free from bad news and disease, theyalways live as if it were the first time, and do not remember previous times.

—Bioy Casares, Adolfo

I have covered boxing, promoted boxing, watched it, thought about it, and after long reflection I cannot find a single thing that isgood about it either from the point of view of participant or spectator.

—Gallagher, Noel

Thus I live in the world rather as a Spectator of mankind, than as one of the species, by which means I have made myself a speculative statesman, soldier, merchant, and artisan, without ever meddling with any practical part of life.

—Addison,Joseph

We are making politics a spectator sport in which our only duty is to vote somebody into office and then retire to the grandstands.

—Gergen, David Richmond

Soit donc que vous composiez, soit donc que vous jouiez, ne pensez non plus au spectateur que s'il n'existait pas. Imaginez sur le bord du the¤  a"  tre, un grand mur qui vous se¤  pare du parterre; jouez comme si la toile ne se levait pas. Whether you compose or act, think no more of the spectator than if he did not exist. Imagine at the edge of the stage a large wall which separates you from the orchestra; act as if the curtain never rose.

—Diderot, Denis