democracy
gb/dɪmˈɑkɹəsi/ us/dɪmˈɑkɹəsi/
B1
English
~ 2100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
System of government by the people
A way of governing where people choose their leaders by voting.
Usage pattern:
[country] has a democracy
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'democracy' with 'democratic', which is the adjective form.
Synonyms
republic (Often refers specifically to a representative democracy without a monarchy.)
|
self-government (Emphasizes the independence and autonomy of citizens in governing themselves.)
Antonyms
dictatorship (Refers to a system where one person or a small group has complete control without free elections.)
|
autocracy (Highlights absolute power held by a single ruler.)
Collocations
liberal democracy
|representative democracy
|strengthen democracy
|threat to democracy
|democracy movement
Themes
politics
|government
|society
|law
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Democracy allows citizens to have a say in how they are governed.
- The country transitioned from dictatorship to democracy after years of struggle.
- Free speech is an essential part of any healthy democracy.
- Many people fought hard to win the right to live in a democracy.
- Global organizations often work to support emerging democracies.
Learner examples
- In a democracy, people vote for their leaders.
- The country has a democracy with free elections.
- Democracy means that citizens have rights and freedoms.
- Many nations want to protect their democracy.
Noun
B1
entity
2
A nation or community with democratic rule
A country or group of people that uses voting and equal rights to make decisions.
Usage pattern:
[place] is a democracy
Synonyms
democratic state (More formal term for a country with democratic governance.)
Antonyms
totalitarian state (A state where the government has total control over all aspects of life.)
Collocations
thriving democracy
|modern democracy
|young democracy
Themes
politics
|government
|society
|law
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Norway is widely regarded as a successful democracy.
- India is the world's largest democracy.
- The new constitution turned the nation into a democracy.
- They hope to become a functioning democracy within a decade.
Learner examples
- My country is a democracy.
- India is a large democracy.
- The island became a democracy last year.
Grammar
Dictionary form
democracy
IPA
GB/dɪmˈɑkɹəsi/
US/dɪmˈɑkɹəsi/
Syllables & stress
demo - cracy (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cracy)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: democracy
- Plural: democracies, democracy
Word family
Forms
democracies
noun
Core family
Related words
democratize
verb
democratization
noun C1
Negative and opposite forms
undemocratic
adjective
undemocratically
adverb
Expressions
in a democracy
1/ˈɪn ə dɪmˈɑkɹəsi/
fixed phrase
Within a system of democratic governance
Used to talk about what happens or should happen in a country where people choose their leaders.
Examples
- In a democracy, leaders must listen to the people.
- Laws are made by elected officials in a democracy.
strengthen democracy
1/stɹˈɛŋθən dɪmˈɑkɹəsi/
fixed phrase
Make democratic systems stronger
To make the way a country votes and makes decisions work better and be more fair.
Examples
- Education can help strengthen democracy.
- Reforms are needed to strengthen democracy in the region.
threat to democracy
1/θɹˈɛt tə dɪmˈɑkɹəsi/
fixed phrase
Danger to democratic systems
Something that can harm or destroy a system where people vote for leaders.
Examples
- Corruption is often seen as a threat to democracy.
- Censorship poses a serious threat to democracy.