audience

audience

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Pronunciation

The IPA phonetic spelling for "audience" is /ˈɔːdiəns/.

Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:

• First Syllable (au-):

• /ɔː/ as in "jaw"

• /d/ as in "dog"

• Second Syllable (-di-):

• /i/ as in "kit" (a weak, unstressed vowel, sometimes transcribed as /ɪ/ or /jə/)

• Third Syllable (-ence):

• /əns/ (a schwa followed by "ns" sound)

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Word Form Variations

• Singular Noun: audience

• Plural Noun: audiences

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Noun

• Definition 1: A group of people who have gathered to listen to or watch a public presentation, such as a play, concert, lecture, or religious service.

• Synonyms: spectators, viewers, listeners, crowd, gathering, assembly

• Antonyms: performers, presenters, actors

• Definition 2: The readership or viewership of a particular publication, broadcast, or online content.

• Synonyms: readership, public, market, consumers, clientele, following

• Antonyms: creators, producers, authors

• Definition 3: A formal interview or meeting with a person in a position of authority.

• Synonyms: meeting, interview, consultation, hearing, session

• Antonyms: dismissal, rejection

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Examples of Use

• Books:

• "The novelist understood that capturing the audience's imagination was paramount to a book's success, so she crafted intricate plots and compelling characters." (Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, 2000)

• "He realized his speech had truly connected with the audience when he heard their enthusiastic applause and murmurs of agreement." (Michelle Obama, Becoming, November 2018)

• Newspapers:

• "The new art exhibition drew a record-breaking audience on its opening weekend, signaling a strong interest in contemporary works." ( The New York Times)

• "Analysts predict that the upcoming election debate will command a massive television audience across all major networks." (The Guardian)

• Online Publications:

• "Building a loyal audience for your podcast requires consistent quality and engaging content that resonates with listeners." (Forbes.com)

• "The website redesign aimed to improve user experience and expand its global audience by offering content in multiple languages." (TechCrunch.com)

• Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• Film: "Christopher Nolan's latest film left the entire audience in stunned silence, a testament to its powerful narrative and visual effects." (Roger Ebert's review, Chicago Sun-Times)

• Television: "The finale of the popular streaming series captivated an international audience of millions, breaking previous viewership records." (Netflix press release)

• Music Concert: "Despite the rain, the enthusiastic audience at the outdoor concert cheered for an encore, refusing to let the weather dampen their spirits." (Live Nation concert review)

• Theater: "The stage play's experimental nature challenged its audience to think deeply about societal norms." (Broadway World)

• Gaming: "Video game developers often conduct extensive playtesting to understand how their target audience interacts with the game mechanics." (IGN.com)

• General Public Discourse:

• "The politician struggled to tailor his message to an increasingly diverse audience, resulting in mixed reactions."

• "When delivering a presentation, it's crucial to understand your audience's background and interests to effectively convey your message."

• "The public speaker had a natural ability to command the attention of any audience, whether large or small."

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10 Quotes Using Audience

1. "To have great poets, there must be great audiences." (Walt Whitman)

2. "God is a comedian, playing to an audience too afraid to laugh." (H. L. Mencken)

3. "I made mistakes in drama. I thought drama was when actors cried. But drama is when the audience cries." (Frank Capra)

4. "Tell the audience what you're going to say, say it; then tell them what you've said." (Dale Carnegie)

5. "Getting an audience is hard. Sustaining an audience is hard. It demands a consistency of thought, of purpose, and of action over a long period of time." (Bruce Springsteen)

6. "It requires wisdom to understand wisdom: the music is nothing if the audience is deaf." (Walter Lippmann)

7. "If you want to make an audience laugh, you dress a man up like an old lady and push her down the stairs." (Tina Fey)

8. "Your audience is one single reader. I have found that sometimes it helps to pick out one person—a real person you know, or an imagined person—and write to that one." (John Steinbeck)

9. "All my big mistakes are when I try to second-guess or please an audience. My work is always stronger when I get very selfish about it." (David Bowie)

10. "The person who writes for fools is always sure of a large audience." (Arthur Schopenhauer)

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Etymology

The word "audience" has a long history, going back to Latin. It essentially means "those who hear" or "a hearing.

• Origins: The word "audience" comes from the Old French word audience, which in turn came from the Latin word audientia. Audientia meant "a hearing" or "listening." This Latin word itself is derived from audire, which means "to hear." You can see this root in other words like "audio" and "auditory."

• First Known Use and Meaning: The earliest known use of "audience" in English was in the late 14th century (before 1387). At that time, its primary meaning was "the act or state of hearing," or "the action or condition of listening."
  So, imagine someone saying, "He was granted audience with the king," meaning he was given a chance to be heard by the king, or "He paid close audience to the sermon," meaning he listened carefully. This "act of hearing" meaning is the foundational idea of the word.

• Evolution of Meaning: Over time, the meaning expanded. By the early 15th century, it started to refer to "persons within hearing range, an assembly of listeners," which is closer to how we often use it today when talking about a group of people watching a play or concert. Later, in the 19th and 20th centuries, it broadened further to include readers of books and viewers of television programs.

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Audience

• Play to the audience: To tailor one's performance or speech to appeal directly to the preferences or expectations of the listeners or viewers, often implying a less sincere or more manipulative approach.

• Captive audience: A group of people who are unable to leave or avoid listening to someone or something, often against their will or convenience.

• Mixed audience: A group of people with diverse backgrounds, opinions, or interests.

• Target audience: The specific group of people that a product, service, message, or performance is aimed at.

• Command an audience: To attract and hold the attention of a large number of listeners or viewers.

• Draw an audience: To attract people to an event, performance, or presentation.

• Get an audience: To gain the opportunity to speak to or be heard by a particular person or group.

• Have an audience with [someone important]: To have a formal meeting or interview with a person of high rank or authority.

• Loss of audience: A decline in the number of people listening to, watching, or reading something.

• Know your audience: To be aware of the characteristics, interests, and needs of the people you are communicating with, in order to tailor your message effectively.

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of audience from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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