English Lexicon

Bystander

/ˈbaɪˌstændər/
nounCEFR B1 (Intermediate)Top #1500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

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

    "The bystanders watched as the firefighters battled the blaze."
  2. 2

    A person who observes a situation without intervening.

    "Many bystanders were shocked by the sudden turn of events."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'bystander' originates from the combination of 'by' and 'stand', with 'by' meaning 'near' and 'stand' meaning 'to be in a position'. It has been used in English since the late 16th century, evolving to refer specifically to someone who is present at an event but not actively involved.

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