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Glite Dictionary
to spectate

to spectate

3 4.9
To watch an event, often a sports game, without taking part
  • verb
  • /spɛkˈteɪt/
translation icon : espectar
  • Many fans come to the stadium to spectate the thrilling soccer match.
  • sport spectating

Another question that we could engage with when spectating the Endergalanda action is was that actually violence?

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Examples

  • Had to tell you, I ran MCM yesterday and one of the women spectating had a lobster hat on!

    Blog text (18)

  • During the championship game, thousands gathered to spectate the exciting events.

  • But ladies are most welcome to spectate.

    Jack Ensch: Hanoi Hilton POW (2016)

  • If you don't mind, maybe we'll just pull up a chair and spectate for a while.

    Riddick (2013)

  • There are times to spectate and there are times to roll up one's sleeves and participate.

    Blog text (23)

  • Well, it's spectating, as Greg was just saying.

    Variety

  • The Guard off to the side spectating, their shadows jittery and huge against the walls of the house.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • Second, spectating children's practices and games was important for parents to understand their children's learning.

    Academic text (2015)

  • I am merely spectating.

    The Party (1968)

  • While waiting for the race to start, we decided to spectate from the best vantage point.

Synonyms

to witness
vsto spectate
653 3.0

To see or be present at an event as it happens

is used for watching events, especially organized sports, not merely being present
to catch the match
vsto spectate
  • UK
2.7

To watch a sports game, often on TV or online

is used for watching sports events in general rather than one specific game

Antonyms

to participate
866 2.5

To join in an activity with other people

How Attentive

to monitor
627 3.5
to observe
619 2.4
to watch
∞ 1.0
to spectate
3 4.9
to look on
50 3.4

Surface Forms

spectate infinitive
spectated past
spectated past participle
spectating present participle
spectates third person singular

Morphology

spectate = spectator (transparent) = spect + ate

The verb is a back-formation from 'spectator' and clearly means 'to watch', so learners who know 'spectator' can derive the verb.

Etymology

Spectate comes from the Latin root spect- meaning 'to look', the same root you see in spectacle and spectator, both words about watching. So, to spectate is simply 'to watch' an event rather than take part in it.