Onlooker vs. Witness — What's the Difference?

One that looks on; a spectator or bystander.

In law, a witness is someone who has knowledge about a matter, whether they have sensed it or are testifying on another witnesses' behalf. In law a witness is someone who, either voluntarily or under compulsion, provides testimonial evidence, either oral or written, of what he or she knows or claims to know.

A spectator; someone looks on or watches, without becoming involved or participating.

One who can give a firsthand account of something seen, heard, or experienced

Someone who looks on

One who is called on to testify before a court.

One who is called on to be present at a transaction in order to attest to what takes place.

One who signs one's name to a document for the purpose of attesting to its authenticity.

Attestation to a fact, statement, or event; testimony

Something that serves as evidence; a sign

One who publicly affirms religious faith.

Witness A member of the Jehovah's Witnesses.

To see or know by personal experience

To provide or serve as evidence of

To consider as an example. Often used in the imperative

To testify to; bear witness of

To be the setting or site of

To attest to the legality or authenticity of (a document) by signing one's name.

To furnish or serve as evidence

To testify to one's religious beliefs

(uncountable) Attestation of a fact or event; testimony.

(countable) One who sees or has personal knowledge of something.

Someone called to give evidence in a court.

(countable) One who is called upon to witness an event or action, such as a wedding or the signing of a document.

(countable) Something that serves as evidence; a sign or token.

(transitive) To furnish proof of, to show.

(transitive) To take as evidence.

(transitive) To see or gain knowledge of through experience.

To present personal religious testimony; to preach at (someone) or on behalf of.

To see the execution of (a legal instrument), and subscribe it for the purpose of establishing its authenticity.

Attestation of a fact or an event; testimony.

That which furnishes evidence or proof.

One who is cognizant; a person who beholds, or otherwise has personal knowledge of, anything; as, an eyewitness; an earwitness.

One who testifies in a cause, or gives evidence before a judicial tribunal; as, the witness in court agreed in all essential facts.

To see or know by personal presence; to have direct cognizance of.

To give testimony to; to testify to; to attest.

To see the execution of, as an instrument, and subscribe it for the purpose of establishing its authenticity; as, to witness a bond or a deed.

To bear testimony; to give evidence; to testify.

Someone who sees an event and reports what happened

A close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind);

Testimony by word or deed to your religious faith

(law) a person who attests to the genuineness of a document or signature by adding their own signature

(law) a person who testifies under oath in a court of law

Be a witness to

Perceive or be contemporaneous with;