Word
demonstrate
Phoneticsdemon·strate
US/ˈdɛmənˌstɹeɪt/
UK/dˈɛmənstɹˌeɪt/
Definitions
01to prove or show clearly
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
v. to show that something is true by giving proof or evidence.
v. to establish the validity of a proposition or theory through evidence or logical reasoning.
“The latest research results demonstrate that the new medicine is safe for children.”
“The study fails to demonstrate a significant correlation between the two variables, suggesting that further longitudinal research is required.”
Usage
Often takes a 'that' clause or a direct object.
Synonyms
02to show how to use
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to show someone how to do something or how a machine works.
v. to explain or illustrate by experiment, example, or practical application.
“The chef will demonstrate how to make the perfect pasta dough.”
“The technician spent the afternoon demonstrating the new software's capabilities to the administrative staff to ensure a smooth transition.”
Usage
Commonly used with 'how to'.
Synonyms
03to protest
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to join a large group of people in public to show you disagree with something.
v. to participate in a public meeting or march to express political views or protest against a specific issue.
“Thousands of students gathered in the city centre to demonstrate against the new law.”
“Citizens have the constitutional right to demonstrate peacefully, provided they do not obstruct the flow of essential traffic.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'against'.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “demonstrate” in context.
Verb
01. demonstrate association
“Several studies demonstrate a clear association between diet and heart health.”
verb + noun
02. demonstrate benefit
“The clinical trials failed to demonstrate any significant benefit of the new drug.”
verb + noun
03. demonstrate difference
“The experiment was designed to demonstrate the difference between the two chemical reactions.”
verb + noun
04. demonstrate difficulty
“The test results demonstrate the difficulty of mastering a new language in a short time.”
verb + noun
05. demonstrate effect
“We need more evidence to demonstrate the long-term effect of social media on teenagers.”
verb + noun
06. demonstrate existence
“Scientists are working hard to demonstrate the existence of water on other planets.”
verb + noun
07. demonstrate gain
“The company's quarterly report helped demonstrate a significant gain in market share.”
verb + noun
08. demonstrate impact
“The documentary aims to demonstrate the impact of plastic pollution on marine life.”
verb + noun
09. demonstrate importance
“The recent crisis served to demonstrate the importance of having an emergency fund.”
verb + noun
10. demonstrate relationship
“The data clearly demonstrate the relationship between exercise and mental well-being.”
verb + noun
Noun
11. analysis demonstrate
“Our latest analysis demonstrates that consumer spending is on the rise.”
noun + verb
12. data demonstrate
“The collected data demonstrate a consistent trend toward warmer global temperatures.”
noun + verb
Real-World Examples
“This study demonstrates that it is technically possible to directly shut down the major dog allergen in a living animal.” “Not always, as demonstrated by this thought-provoking but ultimately not particularly revealing documentary about Norwegian mountaineer Kristin Harila.” Etymology
Borrowed from Latin dēmonstrātus, the perfect passive participle of dēmonstrō (“to show, point at”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix). Cognate with French démontrer.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/demonstrate