demo
DEHM-oh
Demo (noun) means a short demonstration of how a product or piece of software works. Example: “The engineer gave visitors a quick demo of how the machine worked.”
noun
1
A short demonstration of how a product or piece of software works.
"The engineer gave visitors a quick demo of how the machine worked."
"The sales team gave us a demo of the new app."
"You can try the free demo before buying the full game."
2
A rough recording of a song made to showcase it before a full studio release.
"She sent a demo to several radio stations, hoping for some airplay."
"Their first demo sounded rough, but the tune was very catchy."
"The band recorded a demo in their garage before signing to a label."
verb
1
To show or demonstrate something, especially a product.
"The chef demoed a simple bread recipe at the community event."
"Can you demo the software for our new team members tomorrow?"
"She demoed the new feature to the whole office."
How to use demo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA quick preview or sample version of something, whether it's software, a product, or a song.
When to use it
Informal; "demonstration" is the fuller, more formal word.
Common pairings
a demo version
record a demo
give a demo
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Word forms
- Plural
- demos
- Third person singular
- demos
- Past tense
- demoed
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The engineer gave visitors a quick _____ of how the machine worked.
Etymology
A shortened form of "demonstration".
Synonyms
View more →
demonstration
walkthrough
presentation
preview
showcase
trial version
present
demonstrate
show
exhibit
Related words
Rhymes for demo
See all rhymes for demo →Frequently asked questions
What does “demo” mean?
The word “demo” means a short demonstration of how a product or piece of software works. In plain terms, a quick preview or sample version of something, whether it's software, a product, or a song.
How do you pronounce “demo”?
“Demo” is pronounced DEHM-oh (/ˈdɛm.oʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “demo” in a sentence?
Here is “demo” used in a sentence: “The sales team gave us a demo of the new app.”
What part of speech is “demo”?
Depending on how it is used, “demo” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “demo” a common word?
“Demo” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “demo” have?
“Demo” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a short demonstration of how a product or piece of software works.
What is the difference between a demo and a demonstration?
Demo is an informal clipping of demonstration and is the usual word in technology and business for a short showing of how a product or piece of software works. Demonstration is the fuller, more formal word and also has meanings demo rarely covers in careful writing, such as clear proof of something.
What is the past tense of demo — demoed or demo'd?
Demoed is the standard written past tense, as in "She demoed the new app yesterday." The apostrophe form demo'd appears in casual writing, but dictionaries and style guides generally prefer demoed. The -ing form is usually spelled demoing.
What is the difference between a demo and the full version of a game or software?
A demo is a short demonstration version released so people can see how the product works; it is typically free and limited in features, levels, or time. The full version is the complete product. Letting users try before buying is the traditional purpose of releasing a demo.
What is a demo in music?
In music, a demo is a rough recording of a song made to showcase it before a full studio release. Artists use demos to pitch songs to labels, producers, or other performers, so a demo captures the idea of the song rather than a polished final performance.
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