audition

American  

[aw-dish-uhn] / ɔˈdɪʃ ən /

noun

1. a trial hearing given to a singer, actor, or other performer to test suitability for employment, professional training or competition, etc.

2. a reading or other simplified rendering of a theatrical work, performed before a potential backer, producer, etc.

3. the act, sense, or power of hearing.

4. something that is heard.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. to try or compete in an audition.

   to audition aspiring actors; to audition for the leading role.

audition British  

/ ɔːˈdɪʃən /

noun

1. a test at which a performer or musician is asked to demonstrate his ability for a particular role, etc

2. the act, sense, or power of hearing

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verb

1. to judge by means of or be tested in an audition

Other Word Forms

• auditioner
  noun
• reaudition
  noun
• unauditioned
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of audition

1590–1600; (< Middle French ) < Latin audītiōn- (stem of audītiō hearing). See auditive, -ion

Explanation

An audition is a tryout for a role in a movie, orchestra, or play. If you bomb the audition, you probably won't make it into the cast. When describing a tryout in which an actor, singer, musician, or dancer tries to prove that he or she is talented enough to earn a part in a show, audition is used as a noun. The word can also be used as a verb, as in, "I auditioned for the part of Peter Pan, but every time I tried to fly I fell flat on my face." Audition shares a common heritage with audience, the group of people who will eventually watch the show for which a performer has auditioned. Both words come from the Middle French term meaning "power of hearing."

Example Sentences

It doesn’t help that other companies have launched AI-powered software to compete with Adobe’s creative programs, such as Photoshop and Audition.

From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026

The judges said it's "a brilliantly tense, taut novel that sees an actress's life turned inside out and leaves a lot open to interpretation", adding: "What's real? Audition makes existential detectives of us all."

From BBC • Sep. 23, 2025

Audition for the casting directors, not for the specific role.

From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2023

Audition, or hearing, is important to humans and to other animals for many different interactions.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

"Okay. Audition at four. I'll be there. Bye."

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda

Related Words

• demo
• tryout