DictionaryAI

democratic

dem-uh-KRAT-ik/ˌdɛməˈkɹætɪk/

4 meanings of democratic

Practice

  1. 1
    people's ruleadjective
    Relating to democracy, or based on the principle that government is chosen by the people.

    The new constitution established a democratic framework for selecting national leaders.

    Activists demanded democratic reforms that gave ordinary voters real influence.

    UsageThe usual opposite is undemocratic; nondemocratic is a more neutral, technical word for systems that are not democracies.

    Similarrepresentative, self-governing, participatory

    Oppositeundemocratic, nondemocratic

    Note

    Early writers spelled it democratick and sometimes paired it with popular, as in a "democratick or popular spirit." Abraham Philotheus in 1668 sums up its principles as government that "rises from the People's Consent."

  2. 2
    adjective
    Showing or favoring social equality in everyday life and manners, treating people of every rank or class alike, apart from any question of how a country is governed.

    The startup prided itself on a democratic culture where interns could challenge senior managers.

    She ran her household in a democratic fashion, letting the children help decide weekend plans.

    Similaregalitarian

    Note

    Here the word moves from the ballot box to manners, and it can describe a person as readily as a system. "Democratic Kitty" earns the label by insisting that all boys and girls are created free and equal. Emerson Hough applies it to the motley crowd of passengers on a cramped riverboat, where privacy was out of the question. The political meaning still lies underneath, but the subject is now everyday equality.

  3. 3
    adjective
    Within reach of ordinary people in general, in access or in price, instead of being kept for a wealthy or privileged minority.

    Cheap flights turned foreign travel into a democratic pleasure rather than a luxury.

    Polo has never been a very democratic sport, since the cost of keeping horses shuts most families out.

    UsageSaid of things such as sports, hobbies or prices, and often graded: very democratic, not very democratic, more democratic.

    Similaraccessible, affordable, inclusive

    Oppositeexclusive, elitist

    Note

    Here the word has moved from government to price and access: what makes a sport or a pleasure democratic is who can afford it or join in, not who votes. It describes what is on offer, while the egalitarian meaning describes how people treat one another: a democratic boss treats staff as equals, a democratic sport lets anyone play.

Less common meaning

  1. 4
    noundatedcountableplural
    A supporter of democracy; an advocate of government by the people and of democratic politics.
    For that equality among the multitude which democratics explore, is not only just among those of a similar rank but is advantageous.
    1811, Aristotle, “The Politics. Book V. Chapter VIII.”
    This kingly government (as some call it) is a thing that our democraticks cannot brook: we are an undone people if we do not down with that.
    1692, Gershom Bulkeley, “Will and Doom, or The Miseries of Connecticut by and under an Usurped and Arbitrary Power.”

    UsageFor a supporter of democracy today, say a democrat.

    Similardemocrat

    Note

    A noun twin of the adjective, now dated and met chiefly in the plural, where it names a camp: the democratics. Older spellings end in -ick, as in Gershom Bulkeley's complaint of 1692 that "our democraticks cannot brook" kingly government. It named English radicals such as the Levellers, and later the enemies of the aristocrats in Revolutionary France.

Practice

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Origin

The word came through Middle French democratique and Late Latin democraticus from Ancient Greek dēmokratikós, an adjective built on dēmokratíā ('democracy'). That in turn comes from dêmos ('the common people') plus a suffix meaning 'government' or 'rule', from krátos ('might, strength, power').

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 5 facts

  • English democratic derives through Middle French democratique and Late Latin democraticus from Ancient Greek dēmokratikós. en.wiktionary.org
  • Ancient Greek dēmokratikós is an adjective formed from dēmokratíā, meaning democracy. en.wiktionary.org
  • Dēmokratíā combines dêmos, meaning the common people, with a suffix meaning rule. en.wiktionary.org
  • The suffix -kratía means government or rule and derives from krátos. en.wiktionary.org
  • Krátos means might, strength, or power. en.wiktionary.org