Passerby

B2 8+
Pronunciation Definitions Examples Grammatical Forms Origin and Evolution

Pronunciation: /ˈpæsərˌbaɪ/

Definitions of passerby

noun a person who is passing by, especially casually or by chance

Example Sentences

A1 The passerby stopped to help the lost child.

A2 The passerby asked for directions to the nearest bus stop.

B1 The passerby witnessed the car accident and called for help.

B2 The passerby offered a helping hand to the elderly woman struggling with her groceries.

C1 The passerby was hailed as a hero for rescuing the drowning swimmer.

C2 The passerby's quick thinking saved the day during the building fire.

Examples of passerby in a Sentence

formal The passerby stopped to ask for directions.

informal A passerby just asked me for the time.

slang Yo, did you see that passerby check out the new store?

figurative Like a passerby in the night, he came and went without a trace.

Grammatical Forms of passerby

past tense

passed by

plural

passersby

comparative

more passersby

superlative

most passersby

present tense

passes by

future tense

will pass by

perfect tense

have passed by

continuous tense

is passing by

singular

passerby

positive degree

passerby

infinitive

to pass by

gerund

passing by

participle

passing by

Origin and Evolution of passerby

First Known Use: 1530 year
Language of Origin: Middle English
Story behind the word: The word 'passerby' originated from Middle English, combining the words 'pass' meaning 'to pass by' and 'by' indicating proximity or location.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'passerby' has remained relatively consistent in its meaning of a person who is passing by a specific location or situation. However, its usage has become more common in modern language compared to earlier centuries.