Standard Lemma guide

demo

adj · noun · verb · 15 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK: /ˈdɛm.əʊ/
  • US: /ˈdɛm.oʊ/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɛməʊ
  • CMU ARPABET: D EH1 M OW0 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

designed to test consumers' interest in a retail item prior to purchasing.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A demonstration or visual explanation.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

Examples

  • The professor prepared a demo to help her class understand the topic.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A recording of a song meant to demonstrate its overall sound for the purpose of getting it published or recorded more fully.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

Examples

  • After hearing the demo, the record label approved funding to record the song with a full band.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

An example of a product used for demonstration and then sold at a discount.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: floor model

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

A march or gathering to make a political protest.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: march, demonstration

Antonyms: none provided

6

noun

Meaning 6

An edition of limited functionality to give the user an example of how the program works.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

Topics: computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences

Examples

  • The game's developers released a demo version to the public 3 months before the full release.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

noun

Meaning 7

A non-interactive audiovisual computer program developed by enthusiasts to demonstrate the capabilities of the machine. See demoscene.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

Topics: computing, demoscene, engineering, lifestyle, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

8

noun

Meaning 8

A democrat.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

9

noun

Meaning 9

A demographic group.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: collective, informal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

10

noun

Meaning 10

Demolition.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

Qualifier: especially construction and DIY

Examples

  • The demo portion of the reno project is the relatively fast and inexpensive part. The rebuilding takes more time and money.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

11

verb

Meaning 11

To record a demo version of a song, usually not intended for commercial release.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

Examples

  • The band demoed thirty songs. Their manager thought that ten of the songs would make a good record.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

12

verb

Meaning 12

To demonstrate.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

13

verb

Meaning 13

To demolish (especially a house or fixture).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

14

noun

Meaning 14

a visual presentation showing how something works

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the lecture was accompanied by dramatic demonstrations
  • the lecturer shot off a pistol as a demonstration of the startle response

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: demonstration

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: visual communication

Narrower terms: display, show, expression, manifestation, reflection, reflexion, exemplification, illustration

15

verb

Meaning 15

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • She shows her dogs frequently
  • We will demo the new software in Washington

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: show, exhibit, present, demonstrate

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: show

Narrower terms: bring home

History

Etymology

Clipping of demonstration and various other words beginning with "demo-".

Clipping of demonstrate.

Clipping of demolish.

Across languages

Translations

37 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 示範 /示范 (shìfàn) — a brief demonstration or visual explanation
  • Dutch: demo — a brief demonstration or visual explanation
  • Dutch: demonstratie — a brief demonstration or visual explanation
  • French: démo — a brief demonstration or visual explanation
  • French: démonstration — a brief demonstration or visual explanation
  • German: Demonstration — a brief demonstration or visual explanation
  • Hungarian: demó — a brief demonstration or visual explanation
  • Italian: demo — a brief demonstration or visual explanation
  • Japanese: デモ (demo) — a brief demonstration or visual explanation
  • Korean: 데모 (demo) — a brief demonstration or visual explanation
  • Portuguese: demonstração — a brief demonstration or visual explanation
  • Russian: демонстра́ция (demonstrácija) — a brief demonstration or visual explanation
  • Russian: пока́з (pokáz) — a brief demonstration or visual explanation
  • Yiddish: משל (moshl) — a brief demonstration or visual explanation
  • Dutch: demo — a short recording of a song etc for publicity
  • French: démo — a short recording of a song etc for publicity
  • Greek: ντέμο (ntémo) — a short recording of a song etc for publicity
  • Italian: demo — a short recording of a song etc for publicity
  • Portuguese: demo — a short recording of a song etc for publicity
  • Russian: демо (demo) — a short recording of a song etc for publicity
  • Russian: демоза́пись (demozápisʹ) — a short recording of a song etc for publicity
  • Dutch: demo — an example of a product used for demonstration and then sold at a discount
  • French: démo — an example of a product used for demonstration and then sold at a discount
  • Hebrew: דמו — an example of a product used for demonstration and then sold at a discount
  • Polish: reklamówka — an example of a product used for demonstration and then sold at a discount
  • Chinese Mandarin: 示威 (shìwēi) — a march or gathering to make a political protest
  • Dutch: demonstratie — a march or gathering to make a political protest
  • French: démonstration — a march or gathering to make a political protest
  • French: manif — a march or gathering to make a political protest
  • Greek: διαδήλωση (diadílosi) — a march or gathering to make a political protest
  • Italian: dimostrazione — a march or gathering to make a political protest
  • Italian: manifestazione — a march or gathering to make a political protest
  • Japanese: デモ (demo) — a march or gathering to make a political protest
  • Korean: 데모 (demo) — a march or gathering to make a political protest
  • Russian: демонстра́ция (demonstrácija) — a march or gathering to make a political protest
  • Russian: ше́ствие (šéstvije) — a march or gathering to make a political protest
  • Spanish: mani — a march or gathering to make a political protest