ENGLISH
REFERENCE

spectator

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈspɛkteɪtɝ// UK //spɛktˈeɪtɐ// spec·ta·tor General-service

n. a person who watches an event, especially a sports game or a show, without taking part in it. You are a spectator when you sit in the stands at a stadium.

n. an individual who observes an event, performance, or sporting competition without active participation. Often used to distinguish the audience from the participants or officials.


SIMPLE

The stadium was full of excited spectators.

CONTEXTUAL

Thousands of spectators gathered along the marathon route to cheer for the runners as they passed.

COMPLEX

While the athletes focused on their performance, the spectators in the upper tiers created a deafening wall of sound that echoed throughout the arena.

Synonyms
Usage

Commonly used in the plural form when referring to the crowd at a large event.

Pitfall

The movie spectators enjoyed the film.The movie audience enjoyed the film.Spectator is usually reserved for live events like sports or parades; audience is the standard term for cinema, theater, or concerts.

Idioms1 entry

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