audition
Audition (noun) means a short performance given to show a director or panel that you're suitable for a role or job. Example: “Thousands of dancers showed up for the audition.”
How to use audition
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA tryout performance for a role, or the act of trying out.
Word forms
auditioned past tense, auditions plural, auditions singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Thousands of dancers showed up for the _____.
Etymology
From Latin auditio, "a hearing," from audire, "to hear."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for audition
Frequently asked questions
What does “audition” mean?
The word “audition” means a short performance given to show a director or panel that you're suitable for a role or job. In plain terms, a tryout performance for a role, or the act of trying out.
How do you pronounce “audition”?
“Audition” is pronounced aw-DIHSHN (/ɑˈdɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “audition” in a sentence?
Here is “audition” used in a sentence: “Thousands of dancers showed up for the audition.”
What is another word for “audition”?
Words with a similar meaning to “audition” include hearing.
What is the opposite of “audition”?
The opposite of “audition” — its antonyms — are deafness and surdity.
What part of speech is “audition”?
Depending on how it is used, “audition” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “audition” come from?
The word “audition” comes from Latin. From Latin auditio, "a hearing," from audire, "to hear.".
Is “audition” a common word?
“Audition” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between an audition and an interview?
An audition is a short performance given to show a director or panel that you're suitable for a role, typically for acting, music, or dance, while an interview is a conversation used to assess candidates for jobs generally, without necessarily involving a performance. Auditions are performance-based; interviews are usually discussion-based.
What is the difference between an audition and a hearing?
Audition and hearing can both refer to a tryout, especially in music, where a hearing is a more formal or old-fashioned term for the same kind of evaluative performance. In most modern contexts, audition is the standard word, while hearing appears more in classical music or historical usage.
Can audition be used as a verb?
Yes, audition can be used as a verb meaning to perform in order to be judged for a role, as in 'she auditioned for the part', or to describe judging performers in that way, as in 'the panel auditioned several singers'.