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What were the large working-class audiences at 17th-century theaters called?

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audience

American  

[aw-dee-uhns] / ˈɔ di əns /

noun

• audiences
  plural

1. 

   the group of spectators at a public event; listeners or viewers collectively, as in attendance at a theater or concert.

   The audience was respectful of the speaker's opinion.

2. the persons reached by a book, radio or television broadcast, etc.; public.

   Some works of music have a wide and varied audience.

3. a regular public that manifests interest, support, enthusiasm, or the like; a following.

   Every art form has its audience.

4. opportunity to be heard; chance to speak to or before a person or group; a hearing.

5. a formal interview with a sovereign, high officer of government, or other high-ranking person.

   an audience with the pope.

6. the act of hearing, or attending to, words or sounds.

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audience British  

/ ˈɔːdɪəns /

noun

1. a group of spectators or listeners, esp at a public event such as a concert or play

2. the people reached by a book, film, or radio or television programme

3. the devotees or followers of a public entertainer, lecturer, etc; regular public

4. an opportunity to put one's point of view, such as a formal interview with a monarch or head of state

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Grammar

See collective noun.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• proaudience
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• audiences
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of audience

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin audientia “act of listening, group of listeners,” from audient-, stem of audiēns “hearing” (present participle of audīre “to hear”) + -ia -ia ( def. )

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Explanation

An audience can be people watching a performance, or an opportunity to speak with someone important, like an audience with your favorite actor at a "meet and greet" event. The noun audience can describe all the people watching a performance, or the part of the general public interested in a specific type of information or entertainment. For example, the audience for a show about raising children might be parents or other care-givers. Finally, an audience can be a meeting or interview, like an audience with your school's principal.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

audience audiences

British-born Amanpour first became known to the CNN audience internationally for her coverage of the 1991 Gulf War that followed Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

From Barron's ● Oct. 19, 2026

However, he says there will be a section of the audience who remembers "the iconic Naomi Campbell era of fashion" who might see Jenner being given this moment as a "betrayal of what they know".

From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026

He clearly hopes his bravado will woo some of the network’s audience, just as it won over Watters.

From Salon ● Oct. 19, 2026

Netflix has high hopes for the film, which won six audience awards on the festival circuit and will be Spain’s entry for the Academy Awards.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 18, 2026

Before an audience stunned to silence, he strode forth and grabbed a front leg.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck

Television actors traded that type of cachet for steady work and wider audiences.

From Salon ● Oct. 18, 2026

Leo has cancelled all his audiences until October 20.

From Barron's ● Oct. 17, 2026

It’s something audiences, regardless of background, can likely relate to.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

In snapping up the Champions League before the 2025-26 season, Disney added its heft into the game, recognising its potential for capturing new audiences.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

The audiences are modest enough that they remain individual people rather than blending into an anonymous crowd.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

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Related Words

• congregation
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• gathering
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