Sports / B2

spek-TAYT-uh/spekˈteɪtə/

A spectator watches a sport, show, or event and does not take part: spectator numbers; a spectator sport. Audience is more for seated arts; observer is cooler and scientific. Spectator numbers are not participation. Mix-up: spectacle / spectacular (previous entries); inspector is an official. Do not call a player a spectator.

Meaning

A person who watches a sport, show, or event, and does not take part.

Examples

• “Spectator numbers are not the same as participation in the PE audit.”
• “Spectators were kept behind the barrier, which is the crowd-control sense.”

Good to know

a spectator; spectator sport / numbers. Arts twin: audience. Trap: spectacle. PE, news, and safety. Watcher, not participant.

Near in meaning

audience

Topics

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