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

Example Sentences

He had been handpicked for his breakout role on the final day of a nationwide audition - "I was literally the last person they saw," he recalled in a 2023 interview.

From BBC

"She was singing every night on the show and I just thought, man, we've got to get her on New Year's Eve. That was her audition."

From BBC

"We have a gap over Christmas and luckily I was able to audition and find a panto that could just fit my dates, otherwise I would have no income over Christmas," she says.

From BBC

Before Rodriguez auditioned and secured the minor role, Perry allegedly informed him, “I’m not a bad person to know and have in your corner” and touted the idea of more roles in the future.

From Los Angeles Times

In what basically amounts to an audition for 2026, USC is likely to prominently feature young, unproven players at every level of the defense.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• demo
• tryout