A2 noun Neutral #367 most common

audience

/ˈɔːdiəns/

A group of people who gather together to watch or listen to a performance, such as a play, concert, or movie. It also refers to the specific group of people who read a book, watch a TV show, or use a product.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The audience clapped loudly at the end of the show.

The group of viewers cheered after the performance finished.

2

The diplomat addressed a distinguished audience at the conference.

The official spoke to a respected group of people at the meeting.

3

I don't care if there's no audience; I just love to play guitar.

It does not matter to me if no one is watching; I enjoy playing.

Word Family

Noun
audience
Adjective
auditory
Related
audition
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Memory Tip

Think of the word 'audio' (related to hearing). An audience is a group that comes to hear and see a performance.

Quick Quiz

The ___ clapped for five minutes after the pianist finished the song.

Correct!

The correct answer is: audience

Examples

1

The audience clapped loudly at the end of the show.

everyday

The group of viewers cheered after the performance finished.

2

The diplomat addressed a distinguished audience at the conference.

formal

The official spoke to a respected group of people at the meeting.

3

I don't care if there's no audience; I just love to play guitar.

informal

It does not matter to me if no one is watching; I enjoy playing.

4

The research identifies the target audience as females aged 18 to 25.

academic

The study finds that the intended group of readers is young women.

5

We need to grow our online audience to increase sales.

business

We must increase the number of people following us online to sell more.

Word Family

Noun
audience
Adjective
auditory
Related
audition

Common Collocations

target audience the specific group of people a message is intended for
live audience people watching a performance as it happens in person
large audience a great number of people watching or listening
audience participation when the viewers join in the activity on stage
captive audience a group of people who are unable to leave and must listen

Common Phrases

know your audience

to understand the interests and needs of the people you are speaking to

reach an audience

to successfully get your message to a group of people

play to the audience

to do things specifically to make the viewers like you

Often Confused With

audience vs spectators

Spectators usually watch sports events, while an audience watches performances or speeches.

audience vs public

The public is the general population, whereas an audience is a specific group gathered for an event.

📝

Usage Notes

In British English, 'audience' can be followed by either a singular or plural verb (e.g., 'The audience is' or 'The audience are').

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Avoid using 'audiences' when you mean one group of people at a single event; use the singular 'audience' instead.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'audio' (related to hearing). An audience is a group that comes to hear and see a performance.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin word 'audire', which means 'to hear'.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun Plural form: audiences Collective noun
🌍

Cultural Context

In Western theater culture, audiences are usually expected to remain quiet during a performance and applaud at the end or during intermissions.

Quick Quiz

The ___ clapped for five minutes after the pianist finished the song.

Correct!

The correct answer is: audience

Related Phrases

Related Words

bluster

C1

Bluster refers to loud, aggressive, or indignant talk that carries little sting or power and is often intended to intimidate. It suggests a noisy way of speaking that lacks substance or the actual ability to carry out threats.

bogus

C1

Describes something that is not genuine, counterfeit, or intentionally fraudulent. It is often used in academic and legal contexts to refer to claims, documents, or entities that have been fabricated to deceive others.

boisterous

C1

Describes someone or something that is noisy, energetic, and cheerful, often in a way that is slightly out of control. It is frequently used for groups of people, activities, or natural forces like wind and waves.

bombard

C1

To attack or subject someone or something to a continuous flow of objects, questions, or information. In academic and scientific contexts, it specifically refers to directing a stream of particles or radiation at a substance to induce a reaction.

bombastic

C1

Describing speech, writing, or behavior that is high-sounding and inflated but with little actual meaning or substance. It is typically used to criticize someone for being pretentious and trying to sound more important or knowledgeable than they truly are.

bondage

C1

Bondage refers to the state of being under the control of another person or system, characterized by a lack of freedom or involuntary servitude. In an academic context, it encompasses legal, social, and economic structures, such as slavery or debt peonage, that restrict an individual's autonomy.

boon

C1

A boon is a timely benefit or blessing that is extremely helpful in a particular situation. It refers to something that makes life easier or provides a significant advantage when most needed.

boorish

C1

Describes behavior that is rough, unrefined, and ill-mannered, typically lacking sensitivity or social grace. It suggests a lack of education or cultural sophistication in social interactions.

bootstrap

C1

To start or develop a process or business using minimal external resources, often relying on existing internal assets or self-funding. In computing and statistics, it refers to a self-starting process that executes without external input or a technique for estimation through resampling.

bounty

C1

A bounty is a generous gift or a reward offered for a specific task, such as the capture of a criminal. It also frequently refers to an abundance or plentiful supply of something, particularly food or natural resources.

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