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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

viewer

VYOO-uh

Viewer (noun) means a person who watches something, especially television, a video, or a spectacle. Example: “The show attracted millions of viewers on its opening night.”

noun
1
A person who watches something, especially television, a video, or a spectacle.
"The show attracted millions of viewers on its opening night."
"Viewers were asked to vote for their favorite contestant."
2
A device or piece of software used for looking at images or files.
"You'll need a PDF viewer to open the attachment."

How to Use Viewer

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone (or something) that watches or displays something.

Common pairings
TV viewer image viewer viewer discretion

Word Forms

viewers plural

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Test yourself on “viewer” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The show attracted millions of _____ on its opening night.

Etymology

Formed from "view" plus the agent-noun ending "-er," meaning "one who views."

watcher spectator onlooker

Related Words

Rhymes for viewer

See all rhymes for viewer →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “viewer” mean?

The word “viewer” means a person who watches something, especially television, a video, or a spectacle. In plain terms, someone (or something) that watches or displays something.

How do you pronounce “viewer”?

“Viewer” is pronounced VYOO-uh (/ˈvju.ɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “viewer” in a sentence?

Here is “viewer” used in a sentence: “The show attracted millions of viewers on its opening night.”

What part of speech is “viewer”?

“Viewer” is a noun.

Is “viewer” a common word?

“Viewer” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “viewer” have?

“Viewer” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who watches something, especially television, a video, or a spectacle.

What is the difference between a 'viewer' and an 'audience'?

'Viewer' typically refers to an individual person watching something, such as television or a video, while 'audience' refers to the whole group of people watching or listening collectively. A broadcast can have millions of viewers who together make up its audience.

What does 'viewer' mean in computing or software?

In computing, a 'viewer' is a program or app used to display files such as images, PDFs, or 3D models without editing them. Examples include photo viewers and document viewers, which let you look at content but often lack full editing tools.

What is the difference between a 'viewer' and a 'reader'?

A 'viewer' generally watches visual or audiovisual content like TV, video, or images, while a 'reader' consumes written text. The distinction reflects the type of content and the sense being used, sight-based viewing versus reading.

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