audience
AW-dee-uhnss
/ˈɔːdiəns/
The assembled spectators or listeners at a public event, such as a play, movie, concert, or meeting.
Refers to the collective group of observers. It carries a connotation of receptive listening and watching.
The story behind the word. The word 'audience' comes from the Latin 'audire', meaning 'to hear'. Historically, an audience was a formal hearing or opportunity to be heard by an authority figure, which eventually shifted to mean the group of people doing the hearing at a performance.
Word relationships
- spectators: 'Spectators' primarily watch (often sports), whereas an 'audience' both listens and watches (often performing arts).
- crowd: A 'crowd' is an unorganized gathering, while an 'audience' is gathered specifically to receive a performance or message.
- performers: 'Performers' are the active creators of the show, while the 'audience' is the receptive group.
Commonly confused with
- congregation: A 'congregation' is specifically a group gathered for religious worship, not secular entertainment.
Word family
- auditory (adjective): Relating to the sense of hearing.
Collocations
- captive audience
- target audience
- audience participation
Idioms & expressions
- play to the audience
Example sentences
- "An audience is a crowd of people who want to be in on the secret." A famous quote about the nature of theatrical observers.
- "The audience sat in absolute silence, completely captivated by the dramatic monologue." Describing the reaction of a crowd.
Memory hook
Think of 'audio'. An 'audience' uses their 'audio' senses to hear the performance. The ones who hear the show.
When not to use
Do not use when referring to active participants in an athletic event, who are better described as 'spectators'.
Fun facts
- The phrase 'to have an audience with' still retains the ancient meaning of a formal meeting with a monarch or religious leader.
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