audiences

IPA/ˈɔː.di.əns/
KK[ˈɑdiənsəz]IPA/ˈɑː.di.əns/

audiences — noun

  • audiencessingular
  • audiencesesplural

1. The people assembled at a theatre, cinema, concert hall, or other venue for a pe

1.名詞A2
釋義

The people assembled at a theatre, cinema, concert hall, or other venue for a performance, film, speech, or similar event.

例句

The audience clapped and cheered when Adina finished her piano piece at the concert hall.

audience + clapped / cheered — audience reaction verbs

Nkechi looked nervously at the audience before starting her speech about climate change.

looked at the audience — verb of directed attention

同義詞
  • spectators

    More specific to watching sports or events without listening (e.g. a football match)

  • crowd

    A gathered group of people, not necessarily watching or listening to a performance

  • viewers

    Specifically people watching a screen, not a live in-person event

文法句型

the audience + singular/plural verb

audiences of + number

用法筆記

As a collective noun, 'audience' can take either a singular verb (when the group acts as one unit: 'The audience was silent') or a plural verb (when individual members act separately: 'The audience were clapping and shouting'). In American English, the singular verb is more common.

常見錯誤

❌The audience was clapping their hands.
✅The audience were clapping their hands.' OR 'The audience clapped.
💡If the audience members act individually, a plural verb is preferred in British English; American English often uses a singular verb even for individual actions.
❌There was a big audience at the football match.
✅There was a large crowd at the football match.
💡Use 'spectators' or 'crowd' for sports events, not 'audience'.

2. The total number or type of people who watch a particular television programme,

2.名詞A2
釋義

The total number or type of people who watch a particular television programme, listen to a radio show, read a book or magazine, or visit a website.

例句

The TV programme attracts a large audience of young adults every Friday evening.

attracts a + adjective + audience of — quantifying the audience

Mauricio started a cooking blog and built a loyal audience of over ten thousand readers.

built a loyal audience — verb + adjective collocation for growing readership

同義詞
  • viewership

    Specifically for TV/video; more formal, usually about numbers

  • readership

    For books, magazines, newspapers only

  • listenership

    For radio shows and podcasts only

文法句型

an audience of + number

a + adjective + audience of + noun phrase

用法筆記

Often modified by adjectives that describe either size ('large', 'wide', 'growing') or characteristics ('target', 'core', 'global', 'young'). 'Audience' in this sense can refer to the NUMBER of people reached (measured in ratings or circulation) or the TYPE of people (age group, interests, location).

常見錯誤

❌The book had a big audience.
✅The book reached a wide audience.
💡'Wide' is the natural collocation for audience size in media contexts.
❌Ten millions audiences watched the show.
✅An audience of ten million watched the show.
💡'Audience' is countable but is used in the singular when referring to a single group size.

3. A formal, scheduled meeting in which someone is received by a very important per

3.名詞B2
釋義

A formal, scheduled meeting in which someone is received by a very important person such as a monarch, religious leader, or head of state.

例句

The ambassador requested an audience with the king to discuss the new trade agreement.

requested an audience with — formal verb + preposition pattern

Pope Francis granted a private audience to a group of doctors visiting from Brazil.

granted a private audience to — the VIP gives permission for the meeting

同義詞
  • hearing

    A formal meeting to listen to someone's case, often in legal or official contexts

  • interview

    A meeting where questions are asked; less formal than 'audience'

  • private meeting

    A more general term without the connotation of rank difference

文法句型

an audience with + important person

grant someone an audience

request an audience

用法筆記

Exclusively formal register. The person granting the audience (the VIP) is the subject of 'grant' or 'give', while the person seeking the meeting is the subject of 'request' or 'seek'. Never use this sense for informal meetings or regular business appointments.

常見錯誤

❌I have an audience with my boss tomorrow.
✅I have a meeting with my boss tomorrow.
💡'Audience' in this sense is only used for meeting extremely important people (monarchs, popes, presidents, etc.), not for everyday workplace meetings.
❌The journalist had an audience with the celebrity.
✅The journalist interviewed the celebrity.
💡For non-political/non-religious VIPs, use 'interview' or 'meeting'.