passers-by
People walking past
Passers-by are people walking past a particular location, especially witnesses to an event or potential customers for a business.
The word emphasizes their transience—they're not stopping, just moving through: Several passers-by saw the accident.
Also spelled passersby.
Paved pedestrian pathways
- crosswalksMarked street-crossing zones
- street cornersJunctures of perpendicular roads
- storefrontsForward-facing retail exteriors
- crowdsAssembled multitudes
bustle · downtown · pavement · intersections · zebra crossings · pedestrian crossings · traffic lights · bus stops
People unknown to you
- namelessWithout any designation
- facelessLacking identity or features
- unknownNot yet discovered
- unrecognizedNot identified or acknowledged
unremarkable · indistinct · impersonal · anonymous · unnoticed · overlooked · forgettable · nondescript
Passing very quickly
- momentaryLasting very briefly
- in passingWithout special attention
- ephemeralLasting very briefly
- passing glanceMomentary, casual look
ships in the night · temporary · split-second · transitory · impermanent · chance encounter
Locomotion on foot
- strollingWalking at ease
- amblingWalking without urgency
- hurryingMoving with urgent speed
- rushingRapid forward movement
sauntering · striding · shuffling · weaving · dodging · jaywalking · crossing · bustling
Looking briefly or obliquely
- watchingActively looking at something
- noticingBecoming aware of
- witnessingSeeing something occur
- glimpsingSeeing briefly, incompletely
staring · gawking · rubbernecking · people-watching · onlookers · spectators · eyewitnesses · double-takes
sidewalks
Paved pedestrian pathways
- crosswalksMarked street-crossing zones
- street cornersJunctures of perpendicular roads
- storefrontsForward-facing retail exteriors
crowds · bustle · downtown · pavement · intersections · zebra crossings · pedestrian crossings · traffic lights · bus stops · subway entrances
strangers
People unknown to you
unrecognized · unremarkable · indistinct · impersonal · anonymous · unnoticed · overlooked · forgettable · nondescript · incidental
fleeting
Passing very quickly
- momentaryLasting very briefly
- in passingWithout special attention
- ephemeralLasting very briefly
passing glance · ships in the night · temporary · split-second · transitory · impermanent · chance encounter
walking
Locomotion on foot
rushing · sauntering · striding · shuffling · weaving · dodging · jaywalking · crossing · bustling · meandering
glancing
Looking briefly or obliquely
- watchingActively looking at something
- noticingBecoming aware of
- witnessingSeeing something occur
glimpsing · staring · gawking · rubbernecking · people-watching · onlookers · spectators · eyewitnesses · double-takes
passers-byparticipants
Those actively involved
interveners · responders · first responders · actors · players
passers-byresidents
People living somewhere
locals · inhabitants · permanent residents · dwellers · neighbors