audience
audience — noun
1. the people who are there watching or listening while a performance, film, or spe
the people who are there watching or listening while a performance, film, or speech happens
The school band played to a cheerful audience in the town square.
play to an audience
When Dr. Lin finished, the audience stayed quiet for a moment.
A small audience filled the basement theatre on opening night.
The comedian asked one audience member to come onto the stage.
By noon, a curious audience had gathered around the street magician.
- crowd
less specific and does not always suggest people are watching or listening
- spectators
fits events people mainly watch, especially sports
- listeners
fits cases where hearing matters more than seeing
- attendees
means people present at an event, not necessarily focused on a performance
文法句型
play to an audience
an audience of + number
audience member
用法筆記
Often appears with words about size or mood, such as large, small, quiet, or excited. Distinguish from sense 2, which is about the regular public for media or writing, not the people physically present at one event.
常見錯誤
2. the people a book, show, website, or speaker is meant to reach or actually reach
the people a book, show, website, or speaker is meant to reach or actually reaches
Mia's cooking channel built a young audience with one-minute lunch videos.
build an audience
The baseball podcast now has a loyal audience among train commuters across Taiwan.
Her first novel found an audience among tired office workers.
The museum redesigned its ticket website for an older audience.
The radio host lost part of his audience after mocking a flood victim.
- public
broader and less tied to one work, channel, or message
- readership
only fits readers, especially of books, newspapers, or magazines
- viewership
focuses on people who watch screen content
- following
suggests regular supporters, often online or around a public figure
文法句型
reach an audience
find an audience
audience for + product or message
用法筆記
Often appears with reach, attract, build, grow, and target. Distinguish from sense 1, which is the crowd actually in front of a performer or speaker at one time.
常見錯誤
3. an official meeting arranged with a ruler, leader, or other important person
an official meeting arranged with a ruler, leader, or other important person
The ambassador requested an audience with the king before sunset.
audience with + person
After weeks of letters, Rosa finally gained an audience with the mayor.
gain an audience
The general refused to grant the reporter an audience.
Village leaders waited outside for an audience with the governor.
During the palace crisis, only senior advisers were allowed an audience with the queen.
文法句型
have an audience with somebody
grant somebody an audience
seek an audience with somebody
用法筆記
Common in very formal or historical writing, especially in the pattern have an audience with + important person. It does not usually mean an ordinary business meeting or casual visit.