noun

audit

AW-diht

noun

An official, careful check of financial records or of a system to make sure everything is accurate and follows the rules.

"The company failed its annual audit after auditors found missing invoices."

"A security audit revealed several weak passwords across the network."

verb

To carry out such a check.

"An outside firm was brought in to audit the charity's accounts."

To attend a university course without earning credit for it.

"He audited the philosophy lecture just out of curiosity."

How to Use Audit

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA thorough check-up of records or systems for accuracy — or, informally, sitting in on a class without taking it for credit.

Common pairings

financial audit security audit audit trail audit a course

audited past tense, audits plural, audits singular

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The company failed its annual _____ after auditors found missing invoices.

From Latin audire, "to hear" — because early financial examinations were reported aloud and the examiner literally listened to them.