What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
witness
Example
I was a witness to the car accident and can describe what happened. [witness: noun]
Example
She witnessed the crime and had to testify in court. [witnessed: past tense verb]
onlooker
Example
The onlookers watched as the firefighters put out the fire. [onlookers: plural noun]
Example
He stood as an onlooker, watching the parade go by. [onlooker: singular noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Onlooker is a more common word than witness in everyday language. Onlooker is versatile and can be used in a wide range of contexts, while witness is more specific and often associated with legal situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between witness and onlooker?
Witness is typically associated with a formal and serious tone, while onlooker is more neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
