What is audience? Pronunciation and usage in English

audience means . Learn how to pronounce and use audience through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of audience

audiencenoun

/ˈɔːdɪəns/
Definition & pronunciation of audience

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "audience." It's a tricky one for many learners! Here’s a breakdown with phonetic transcription and a helpful guide:

1. Phonetic Transcription (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

/ˈɔːdiəns/

Let’s break that down:

  • ˈɔːdiəns – This is the whole word.
    • ˈɔː – This is the stressed syllable. The ‘ɔː’ sound is a long ‘o’ sound, like in "caught" or "bought." It's a rounded, open vowel.
    • diə – This part is like "dee-uh." The 'ə' is a schwa sound (the "uh" sound), a very common, relaxed vowel sound in unstressed syllables.
    • ns – Pronounced like the ‘ns’ in “sense.”

2. How to Say It (Step-by-Step):

  1. Start with the long ‘o’ sound: Make the sound like "caught" or "bought."
  2. Add the “dee” sound: Say “dee” quickly.
  3. Finish with a soft “uh”: A very relaxed, neutral “uh” sound. Don't force it.
  4. Combine it all: Say the three parts smoothly, emphasizing the first syllable ("ɔː").

3. Tips and Common Mistakes:

  • Don’t say “ad-you-ence”: This is a very common mistake! It’s not "ad-" like "advertise."
  • The “r” sound is NOT there: Don’t add an 'r' after the "dee." It’s not in the word.
  • The vowel sound is key: Focus on getting that long, rounded 'ɔː' sound right. Listening to examples (see below) really helps.

4. Listen to Examples:

  • Google Search: Search on Google for "how to pronounce audience" – You'll find many audio examples from dictionaries like Merriam-Webster and Cambridge.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/audience/ – Forvo is a great website where native speakers pronounce words.

To help me tailor the explanation even further, could you tell me:

  • What's your native language? (This can help me identify common pronunciation challenges you might be facing.)

Usage and examples with the word audience in English

Let's break down how to use the word "audience" effectively in English. It's a versatile word with a few related meanings.

1. The Most Common Meaning: People Watching Something

  • Definition: This is the most frequent use. "Audience" refers to the group of people who are watching a performance, presentation, broadcast, or other event.

  • Examples:

    • "The audience was captivated by the magician’s tricks." (They were watching the magic show.)
    • "The speaker addressed a large audience of students." (The students were listening to him.)
    • "We watched the movie with a small audience in the theater." (A few people were watching the film.)
    • "The television audience for the awards ceremony was huge." (Many people were watching it on TV.)

2. Referring to the People Who Make Up the Group

  • Definition: You can also use "audience" to refer to the collection of individuals as a group, rather than just the act of watching. This is especially common in theatre and performance.

  • Examples:

    • "The audience applauded enthusiastically after the play." (Referring to the group of people who were applauding.)
    • "The director was concerned about the audience’s reaction to the ending." (Concerned about how the people in the audience would respond.)
    • "The theatre group needed to build a strong connection with their audience." (Connecting with the people watching.)

3. Figurative Usage (Less Common)

  • Definition: Sometimes “audience” is used metaphorically to refer to a group that is being addressed or considered.

  • Examples:

    • “Our audience is the general public.” (Referring to everyone who might see or hear something.)
    • “The legal system serves as an audience to determine guilt or innocence.” (Thinking of the legal process as being judged.)

Key Things to Remember:

  • Audience vs. Public: "Public" refers to a general group of people, often broader than “audience.” “Audience” usually implies a more focused group specifically gathered for a particular event.

  • Plural: The plural of "audience" is audiences. (e.g., "There were several audiences in attendance.")

  • Formal vs. Informal: “Audience” is a relatively formal word. In everyday conversation, you’d often use phrases like "people," "viewers," or "listeners" instead.

Let’s Practice!

Fill in the blanks with “audience” or “audiences”

  1. The concert drew a huge __________.
  2. The company presented its new product to a small __________ of investors.
  3. We need to consider the __________’s perspective before making a decision.
  4. The __________ responded positively to the comedian’s jokes.

Answers:

  1. audience
  2. audience
  3. audience
  4. audience

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples?
  • Explain a specific usage in more detail?
  • Practice some sentence construction with "audience"?

Synonyms for the word audience

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