noun
Uncommon
demos
DEE-mos
Demos (noun) means the common people of a state or society, especially in the context of democracy. Example: “Politicians claim to speak for the demos, but not all agree.”
noun
1
The common people of a state or society, especially in the context of democracy.
"Politicians claim to speak for the demos, but not all agree."
"When the demos took charge, law and order inevitably collapsed, or so they concluded."
— Tim Blanning, The Pursuit of Glory (2007)
How to use demos
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal word for "the people" as a political body, most often seen in discussions of democracy.
Common mistake
Not to be confused with "demo" (a short sample recording or product trial), which is an unrelated, informal word.
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Word forms
- Plural
- demoses, demoi
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Politicians claim to speak for the _____, but not all agree.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek dêmos, "the common people of a district or city-state" — the same root found in "democracy."
Frequently asked questions
What does “demos” mean?
The word “demos” means the common people of a state or society, especially in the context of democracy. In plain terms, a formal word for "the people" as a political body, most often seen in discussions of democracy.
How do you pronounce “demos”?
“Demos” is pronounced DEE-mos (/ˈdiˌmɑs/ in IPA).
How do you use “demos” in a sentence?
Here is “demos” used in a sentence: “Politicians claim to speak for the demos, but not all agree.”
What part of speech is “demos”?
“Demos” is a noun.
Where does the word “demos” come from?
The word “demos” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek dêmos, "the common people of a district or city-state" — the same root found in "democracy.".
Is “demos” a common word?
“Demos” is an uncommon word in modern English.
