ENGLISH
REFERENCE

beholder

n. countable
C1 Advanced US //biˈhoʊɫdɝ// UK //bɪhˈəʊldɐ// be·hold·er

n. the person who is looking at something. This word is often used in the phrase 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder', which means that what one person finds attractive, another might not.

n. the person who looks at or observes something. Frequently used in the idiomatic expression 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder', which emphasizes subjective perception.


SIMPLE

The beauty of the sunset depends on the beholder.

CONTEXTUAL

What one person finds fascinating, another might find boring, so the value of the art depends on the beholder.

COMPLEX

The philosopher argued that the moral weight of an action is not inherent in the deed itself, but rather in the perspective of the beholder who interprets its intent.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English behalder, be holdar, beholder, beholdere, biholdar, biholdere, byholdere; equivalent to behold + -er.

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