visitor

[viz-i-ter]

noun

1. a person who visits, as for reasons of friendship, business, duty, travel, or the like.

visitor

/ ˈvɪzɪtə /

noun

1. a person who pays a visit; caller, guest, tourist, etc

2. another name for visitant

Other Word Forms

• previsitor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of visitor¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English visitour, from Anglo-French; Old French visiteor, from Late Latin vīsitātor, equivalent to Latin vīsitā(re) “to go to see, visit” ( visit ) + -tor -tor

Synonym Study

Visitor, caller, guest, visitant are terms for a person who comes to spend time with or stay with others, or in a place. A visitor often stays some time, for social pleasure, for business, sightseeing, etc.: a visitor at our neighbor's house. A caller comes for a brief (usually) formal visit: The caller merely left her card. A guest is anyone receiving hospitality, and the word has been extended to include anyone who pays for meals and lodging: a welcome guest; a hotel guest. Visitant applies especially to a migratory bird or to a supernatural being: a warbler as a visitant.

Example Sentences

"This kind of visitor tends to have little real interest in the heritage, culture or natural environment they are exploiting for clicks. They are the ultimate hit-and-run tourist," Wareing said.

From BBC

Many of the car workers arrested in a huge US workplace immigration raid had violated their visitor visas, officials say.

From BBC

And it’s accessible, allowing many visitors to pass through.

From Los Angeles Times

Video footage captured by a visitor at the park showed the motorcycle being ridden away, flanked by two moped scooters.

From BBC

Guided tours and self-guided audio tours are also available to all visitors, including tourists.

From BBC

Related Words

• caller 
• company 
• foreigner 
• guest