DictionaryauditorClass attendee without credit
noun

auditor

A person attending in order to listen.

An auditor attends the seminar without receiving a course grade.

Etymology

Latin audire means to hear, and -tor identifies the person performing the action. An auditor is therefore a hearer, present chiefly to listen to what is said.

More examples

  • The lecturer welcomed both registered students and auditors.
  • Every auditor in the hall listened closely to the final argument.
  • As an auditor, she could follow the lectures without submitting assignments.

Forms

auditor · auditors

Similar words

listener
Is the common term for someone hearing a speaker or performance.
student
Usually implies formal study rather than attendance solely to listen.