audition
audition
Pronunciation
audition
/ɔːˈdɪʃən/
au /ɔː/
di /dɪ/
tion /ʃən/
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: audition
Plural: auditions
Verb:
Base form: audition
Third-person singular present: auditions
Present participle: auditioning
Past tense: auditioned
Past participle: auditioned
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A formal or informal tryout in which a performer (such as an actor, singer, dancer, or musician) demonstrates their ability or suitability for a role, performance, or position.
Synonyms: tryout, screen test, try-on, reading
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; concepts like "rejection" or "failure to be selected" describe the outcome rather than an opposite process.)
Verb
Definition 1: To perform in an audition; to try out for a role, position, or opportunity by demonstrating one's skills.
Synonyms: try out, try for, read (for a part)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; concepts like "withdraw" or "decline" describe an action avoiding an audition.)
Definition 2: To evaluate a performer by having them audition.
Synonyms: try out, assess, appraise, evaluate
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; "hire" or "cast" describe the outcome of the evaluation.)
Examples of Use
Books: "After countless rejections, she finally landed an audition for a Broadway role, a chance she had been dreaming of for years." (From a fictional novel about a struggling actress)
Newspapers: "Hundreds of hopefuls turned out for the open auditions for the city's annual talent show yesterday, showcasing a diverse range of singing and dancing acts." (Local newspaper report, June 2024)
Online Publications: "The streaming giant announced it will hold global virtual auditions for its next big reality competition, inviting participants from all walks of life." (Entertainment news website, October 2024)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms (Film/TV): "Did you hear that they're still holding auditions for the lead role in the new Marvel movie? I heard they're looking for someone with a completely fresh take on the character." (Conversation in a podcast about film casting, November 2024)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms (Music): "The band posted an ad online: 'Seeking a new drummer. Must be proficient in jazz fusion and available for immediate audition.' " (Musicians' forum post, December 2024)
General Public Discourse: "My daughter has been practicing her monologue non-stop for her school play audition next week. She's really hoping to get the part." (Casual conversation between parents, July 2025)
General Public Discourse: "I had to audition for my current job, actually. It was less about singing and more about demonstrating my coding skills on the spot." (Informal remark during a networking event, April 2025)
10 Famous Quotes Using Audition
"Every time you have to speak, you are auditioning for leadership." - James Humes
"I love auditioning. Since 'The Notebook' and 'Wedding Crashers,' I don't have to audition anymore, and I miss it." - Rachel McAdams
"I've had some rank auditions where I embarrassed myself to new heights, which is hard for me to do." - Johnny Depp
"I've learnt that there's acting for film, acting for theatre, and acting for an audition." - Sarah Snook
"For every successful actor or actress, there are countless numbers who don't make it. The name of the game is rejection. You go to an audition and you're told you're too tall or you're too Irish or your nose is not quite right." - Liam Neeson
"I had to stop going to auditions thinking, 'Oh, I hope they like me.' I had to go in thinking I was the answer to their problem." - George Clooney
"Think of every audition as a chance to perform and you will have fun doing it." - Erica Schroeder
"All you have to remember is 'audition' is synonymous with 'opportunity'." - Hilary Swank
"Arsene Wenger asked me to have a trial with Arsenal when I was 17. I turned it down. Zlatan doesn't do auditions." - Zlatan Ibrahimovic
"My life has been one big audition." - Elizabeth Eulberg
Etymology
The word "audition" comes from Latin! It's rooted in the Latin word "audire," which simply means "to hear."
From "audire," we get the Latin noun "auditio," which meant "a hearing" or "the act of hearing."
The first known use of "audition" in English, around the early 17th century (specifically the 1600s), carried this very literal meaning: "the act of hearing" or "the sense of hearing." So, if you were talking about your ability to perceive sounds, you might have referred to it as your "audition."
It wasn't until much later, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, that the word evolved to its more common modern meaning of "a tryout where someone performs to be heard or judged" (like an actor or musician). This shift makes sense because an audition is essentially a "hearing" where someone's performance is presented to be heard and evaluated.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Audition
Phrases and Idioms with "Audition":
To nail the audition: To perform exceptionally well at an audition, securing the desired role or position.
To bomb the audition: To perform very poorly at an audition, failing to impress.
To get an audition: To be granted the opportunity to try out for a role or position.
To call an audition: For a director or casting agent to schedule an audition.
A cattle call audition: A large, open audition where many hopefuls are seen in quick succession, often with little individual attention (using "cattle call" as the idiom).
The audition process: Referring to the entire series of steps involved in trying out for something, from initial submission to final decision.
Idioms with Synonyms for Similar Effect:
To put someone through their paces: To test someone's skills or abilities, similar to having them audition.
To give it a whirl/shot: To try something out, akin to doing an informal audition.
To try out for a team/part: A common phrase directly meaning to audition.
To go for the gold: To strive for the top prize or best outcome, often implying a competitive tryout.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of audition from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
