What does audition mean?
An audition is a structured trial performance through which an actor, singer, musician, dancer, or other entertainer demonstrates their abilities so that directors, casting panels, or producers can judge whether they are right for a particular role. The word functions both as a noun ('she has an audition on Friday') and as a verb, either intransitive ('he auditioned for the lead') or transitive ('they are auditioning candidates this week'). Auditions are central to the performing arts, ranging from informal readings to highly competitive open casting calls attended by hundreds of applicants. Because success depends on being selected, the word carries connotations of scrutiny, preparation, and anxiety, even though it fundamentally represents an opportunity. Etymologically it comes from the Latin verb audire, meaning 'to hear', reflecting a time when evaluators primarily listened rather than watched. The term is standard in both British and American English and is firmly associated with theatre, film, television, music, and dance.
A trial performance by which an actor, singer, musician, or other performer is evaluated for suitability for a particular role or engagement.
"After three callbacks, she finally felt her audition had gone well enough to win the part."
Often modified by adjectives such as 'open', 'closed', or 'blind', describing who may attend or what information the panel receives.
To take part in a trial performance in order to be considered for a role.
"More than two thousand young performers auditioned for the show."
To assess a performer by means of a trial performance.
"The casting team is auditioning singers in London this weekend."
The plural refers either to multiple trial events or to the series of performances within a single event.
"Open auditions for the musical begin next Monday morning."
The word 'audition' literally means 'a hearing' — from Latin audire, 'to listen' — because judges originally assessed performers with their ears before anyone thought much about how they looked.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of audition
Audition derives from the Latin verb audire, meaning 'to hear', combined with the suffix -ion forming nouns of action. It entered English in the late sixteenth century, when it could mean simply 'the act of hearing' or 'a listening'. By the nineteenth century its sense had narrowed and specialized to mean a trial performance at which a candidate is heard — and increasingly watched — by those deciding whether to engage them. The same Latin root gives English a family of related words including audible, audience, audio, and audit.
How audition is actually used
As a noun, 'audition' is standard in both British and American English. As a verb, the transitive use ('the producers are auditioning singers') is common in the entertainment industry, while the intransitive use ('she auditioned for the part') is more general. The word carries a neutral-to-anxious connotation: it denotes opportunity but also judgment, which is why it often appears in contexts of nerves and preparation.
Easily confused with audition
An addition is something added, especially in arithmetic, while an audition is a trial performance to assess a performer's suitability for a role.