# democrat

/ˈdɛməˌkɹæt/ (US) · /dˈɛməkɹˌæt/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. supporter of democracy

noun · CEFR B2

someone who believes in and supports democracy as a way to govern a country.

For teachers: an advocate of democracy or democratic principles of government.

- As a lifelong democrat, he believed that every citizen should have an equal voice in government.
- The philosopher argued that a true democrat must protect the rights of the minority even when the majority disagrees.

### 2. US political party member

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a member or supporter of the Democratic Party in the United States.

For teachers: a member or supporter of the Democratic Party in the United States; typically capitalised in this sense.

- She has been a registered Democrat since she turned eighteen.
- The senator, a prominent Democrat from the Northeast, led the debate on the new environmental legislation.

### 3. relating to the US Democratic Party

adjective · CEFR C1 · American English · Informal

used to describe things related to the Democratic Party in the US, though some people find this usage rude.

For teachers: used as a modifier for the Democratic Party or its members; often considered a partisan or derogatory label when used instead of the standard adjective 'Democratic'.

- He often complained about what he called democrat policies on the news.
- The talk-radio host pointedly used the term 'Democrat fundraiser' to signal his opposition to the party's platform.

Usage: This form is used as a noun-adjunct before other nouns, such as 'democrat party' or 'democrat politicians'.

Teaching tip: Learners should avoid using 'democrat' as an adjective. In the US, using 'the Democrat Party' instead of 'the Democratic Party' is often seen as a deliberate political insult.

## Examples

- She has been a lifelong Democrat.
- During the election, the local Democrat candidate focused on improving public schools and expanding healthcare access.
- Political analysts observed that the moderate Democrat struggled to balance the demands of the party's progressive wing with the concerns of centrist voters in the swing district.

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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.