noun Uncommon

eyewitness

Eyewitness (noun) means a person who personally saw an event happen and can describe or testify to it. Example: “Police are appealing for eyewitnesses to the crash.”

noun

A person who personally saw an event happen and can describe or testify to it.

"Police are appealing for eyewitnesses to the crash."

"An eyewitness account placed the suspect at the scene."

verb

To be present at and personally see an event as it happens.

"Several tourists eyewitnessed the collapse of the bridge."

How to use eyewitness

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who was actually there and saw it happen, as opposed to hearing about it secondhand.

Common pairings

eyewitness account eyewitness testimony eyewitness report

Word forms

eyewitnessed past tense, eyewitnesses plural, eyewitnesses singular

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Police are appealing for _____ to the crash.

Etymology

A straightforward compound of eye and witness — someone who witnessed something with their own eyes.

Rhymes for eyewitness

witness fitness

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Frequently asked questions

What does “eyewitness” mean?

The word “eyewitness” means a person who personally saw an event happen and can describe or testify to it. In plain terms, someone who was actually there and saw it happen, as opposed to hearing about it secondhand.

How do you use “eyewitness” in a sentence?

Here is “eyewitness” used in a sentence: “Police are appealing for eyewitnesses to the crash.”

What part of speech is “eyewitness”?

Depending on how it is used, “eyewitness” can be a noun and a verb.

Is “eyewitness” a common word?

“Eyewitness” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “eyewitness” have?

“Eyewitness” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who personally saw an event happen and can describe or testify to it.