audition
Americannoun
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a trial hearing given to a singer, actor, or other performer to test suitability for employment, professional training or competition, etc.
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a reading or other simplified rendering of a theatrical work, performed before a potential backer, producer, etc.
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the act, sense, or power of hearing.
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something that is heard.
verb (used with or without object)
noun
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a test at which a performer or musician is asked to demonstrate his ability for a particular role, etc
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the act, sense, or power of hearing
verb
Other Word Forms
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."
Vocabulary lists containing audition
Common Senses: Aud ("Hear")
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aud
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Theater - Introductory
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Two years later, I had my first videotaped film audition.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026
If it was an audition to succeed Donald Trump in 2028, US Vice President JD Vance was keeping it low-key as he held a briefing at the White House on Tuesday.
From Barron's • May 19, 2026
I did my first audition at 15 but I didn’t get the part.
From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026
I couldn’t get on a list for an audition because they identified me with situation comedy television.
From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026
Maybe Ariana would even let me film my audition video in the shop’s kitchen.
From "From the Desk of Zoe Washington" by Janae Marks
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
