# demo

/ˈdɛmoʊ/ (US) · /dˈɛməʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/demo
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. trial version

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a limited version of a computer program or game that you can try before you buy it.

For teachers: a software edition with restricted functionality or content, released to allow users to evaluate the product before purchase.

- I played the game demo for an hour and then decided to buy the full version.
- The developers released a playable demo on the digital storefront to gauge player interest before the official launch date.

### 2. music sample

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a simple recording of a song made to show what it sounds like, usually before a professional version is made.

For teachers: a preliminary recording of a musical work intended to showcase the composition to labels, producers, or band members.

- The band sent their demo to several record labels hoping to get a contract.
- While the production on the demo was rough, the raw energy of the performance convinced the producer to sign the group immediately.

### 3. political protest

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal · British English

a public meeting or march where people protest against something.

For teachers: a public manifestation of dissent or support, typically involving a march or gathering in a public space.

- Thousands of students joined the demo in the city centre to protest the new law.
- The peaceful demo turned into a tense standoff when the marchers reached the barricades surrounding the parliament building.

### 4. demographic group

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Technical

a specific group of people in a population, such as a certain age or income level.

For teachers: a specific segment of a population identified by shared characteristics, used primarily in marketing or sociology.

- The new smartphone is designed to appeal to the younger demo.
- Advertisers are struggling to reach the rural demo, as traditional television campaigns no longer yield the same engagement rates.

### 5. to show how it works

verb · CEFR B1 · Informal

to show someone how a product or a piece of software works.

For teachers: to perform a demonstration of a product's features or a system's capabilities for a potential client or audience.

- The sales assistant offered to demo the new coffee machine for us.
- The engineering team will demo the updated interface during the board meeting to justify the recent budget increase.

### 6. to destroy a building

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal · American English

to tear down or destroy a building or part of a house.

For teachers: to perform demolition work on a structure or interior fixture.

- We need to demo the old kitchen cabinets before the new ones arrive.
- The contractor estimated it would take three days to demo the interior walls and clear the debris from the site.

## Examples

- I played the game demo before buying the full version.
- The band recorded a rough demo in their garage to show the record label their new sound.
- The software developer released a playable demo to gather user feedback on the interface before the official launch next quarter.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.