demand
- 01 B1 Intermediate
v.to ask for something in a very firm way because you believe you have a right to it.
v.to request something forcefully or authoritatively, often implying that the speaker has the right to receive it.
Simple“The angry customers began to demand a full refund for the broken flight.”
In context“The protesters gathered outside the embassy to demand the immediate release of the political prisoners held without trial.”
UsageThe verb is transitive and takes a direct object or a 'that' clause.
PitfallHe demanded for an apology. He demanded an apology.The verb 'demand' is transitive and takes a direct object; do not use the preposition 'for'.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to need a lot of time, effort, or attention.
v.to require or call for as necessary or urgent.
Simple“This difficult project will demand all of your concentration this week.”
In context“The intricate nature of the surgery demands absolute precision and years of specialised training from the medical team.”
Synonyms - 03 B1 Intermediate
n.a very firm statement that someone must do something.
n.an insistent and peremptory request, made as if by right.
Simple“The strikers ignored the company's demand to return to work immediately.”
In context“The kidnappers issued a formal demand for ransom, specifying a deadline that left the authorities little time to negotiate.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the desire of people to buy a particular product or service.
n.the desire of consumers, clients, or users for a particular commodity or service.
Simple“There is a huge demand for electric cars as fuel prices continue to rise.”
In context“Economists noted that while supply remained steady, the sudden surge in consumer demand drove prices to record highs.”
UsageOften used in the phrase 'in demand' to describe something popular.
- 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the difficult things that you are required to do.
n.the taxing or exhausting requirements of a task, job, or situation.
Simple“The demands of her new job meant she had very little time for her family.”
In context“The physical demands of professional athletics often lead to chronic injuries that persist long after a player has retired.”
UsageUsually used in the plural form 'demands'.
Usage demand answers · demand for launch · demand for the human
“Some of the rest will be used to meet rising demand from housebuilding and data centres and to address pollutants known as "forever chemicals".”
“But scheduling demands probably should be managed, and that is one reason Karim Adeyemi arrived, adding depth on the wing.”
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *de Proto-Italic *dē Latin dē Latin dē- Proto-Indo-European *(s)meh₂-der. Proto-Italic *manus Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁- Proto-Indo-European *dʰéh₁tder. Proto-Italic *-ðō Proto-Italic *manuðō Latin mandō Latin dēmandō Old French demanderbor. Middle English demaunden English demand From late Middle English demaunden, from Old French demander, from Latin dēmandō, dēmandāre.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.