The way one looks as an onlooker? (5)
I believe the answer is:
ahead
'the way one looks' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'an onlooker?' is the wordplay.
'an' becomes 'a'.
'onlooker?' becomes 'head' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'a'+'head'='AHEAD'
'as' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ahead that I've seen before include "What's down the road" , "at pole" , "likely to win?" , "In the leading position" , "Forward - in front" .)