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# onlooker

noun (an onlooker, onlookers)

«onlooker» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

An onlooker is a person who watches something happen but does not take part, especially an accident, fight or event in the street. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/onlooker/#m1)

### In the lessons

Used in news and stories about accidents, fights and shows. In lessons about bullying and safety, onlookers (bystanders) are told that they can help by getting an adult or calling for help rather than just watching or filming. Phrases: «a crowd of onlookers», «curious onlookers», «onlookers gathered».

### Examples

- A crowd of onlookers gathered round the crashed car. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/onlooker/#x1)
- Onlookers cheered as the firefighters saved the cat. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/onlooker/#x2)
- He was just an onlooker; he didn't join the fight. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/onlooker/#x3)
- Onlookers filmed the scuffle on their phones. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/onlooker/#x4)
- The street performer amazed the onlookers. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/onlooker/#x5)
- An onlooker called the ambulance. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/onlooker/#x6)
- Don't be a silent onlooker when someone is being bullied. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/onlooker/#x7)
- “Nor did I,” Becuma replied, and she called on the onlookers to confirm that statement. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/onlooker/#x8)

### Note

Countable noun, one word. Close words: bystander, spectator (who watches a sport or show on purpose), witness (who saw something and can tell what happened). An onlooker is not to blame, but can still help.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «onlooker» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/onlooker/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«onlooker» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/onlooker.html) on Mova free.