tourist
TOOR-rihst
Tourist (noun) means a person who travels to a place for pleasure or sightseeing rather than for work. Example: “The tourist asked a local where to find the best view of the castle.”
noun
1
A person who travels to a place for pleasure or sightseeing rather than for work.
"The tourist asked a local where to find the best view of the castle."
"Every tourist on the coach took photographs of the beach."
"The old town is packed with tourists in the summer."
"Tourist shops are full of kitsch."
2
Someone with only a shallow or passing interest in something, as opposed to genuine expertise or commitment.
"Real fans called him a tourist because he only watched the big matches."
"She felt like a tourist in the world of cooking, trying a recipe once."
"He was accused of being a tourist in the local music scene."
How to use tourist
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone traveling for leisure, or, more loosely, someone who only dabbles in something without real commitment.
Common pairings
tourist attraction
tourist trap
tourist season
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Word forms
- Plural
- tourists
- Third person singular
- tourists
- Past tense
- touristed
Fill the gap
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The _____ asked a local where to find the best view of the castle.
Etymology
Formed from tour plus the agent suffix -ist, following the pattern of words describing a person who does something.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for tourist
See all rhymes for tourist →Frequently asked questions
What does “tourist” mean?
The word “tourist” means a person who travels to a place for pleasure or sightseeing rather than for work. In plain terms, someone traveling for leisure, or, more loosely, someone who only dabbles in something without real commitment.
How do you pronounce “tourist”?
“Tourist” is pronounced TOOR-rihst (/ˈtʊɹɪst/ in IPA).
How do you use “tourist” in a sentence?
Here is “tourist” used in a sentence: “The old town is packed with tourists in the summer.”
What part of speech is “tourist”?
“Tourist” is a noun.
Is “tourist” a common word?
“Tourist” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “tourist” have?
“Tourist” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who travels to a place for pleasure or sightseeing rather than for work.
What is the difference between a "tourist" and a "traveller"?
A "tourist" is a person who visits a place for pleasure or sightseeing, usually for a short time and often following well-known attractions. "Traveller" is a broader word that can suggest longer, more independent journeys and deeper engagement with places, though the two overlap considerably.
What is the difference between a "tourist" and a "visitor"?
A "tourist" travels specifically for pleasure or sightseeing rather than for work. A "visitor" is anyone who comes to a place for any reason, including business, family, or study, so all tourists are visitors but not all visitors are tourists.
What is the difference between "tourist" and "tourism"?
"Tourist" is the person who travels for pleasure or sightseeing, while "tourism" is the wider activity and industry of people travelling and the services that support them. In short, tourists take part in tourism.
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