demonstrate
gb/dˈɛmənstɹˌeɪt/ us/dˈɛmənstɹˌeɪt/
B1
English
~ 1600
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Show or explain clearly
To show or explain something so that people can understand it.
Usage pattern:
to demonstrate [something] to [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'demonstrate' with 'prove'; 'demonstrate' often involves showing how something works, not just proving it is true.
Synonyms
show (More general and less formal; can be visual or conceptual.)
|
illustrate (Often used when explaining with examples or pictures.)
Antonyms
conceal (To hide something instead of showing it.)
Collocations
demonstrate a skill
|demonstrate knowledge
|demonstrate ability
|demonstrate technique
|demonstrate understanding
Themes
communication
|education
|business
Examples
- The teacher demonstrated the experiment to the class.
- She demonstrated how to use the new software.
- The guide demonstrated the correct way to tie the knot.
- The chef demonstrated his cooking techniques on TV.
Learner examples
- The teacher demonstrated the game.
- He demonstrated how to open the box.
- She demonstrated the dance to us.
- My father demonstrated how to fix the chair.
Verb
B2
action
2
Show a quality or feeling
To show a quality or feeling by what you do.
Usage pattern:
to demonstrate [quality/feeling]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'demonstrate' here must involve speaking, but it can be shown entirely through actions.
Synonyms
display (Similar meaning but slightly more formal or literary in some contexts.)
Antonyms
hide (To keep a quality or feeling from being noticed.)
Collocations
demonstrate courage
|demonstrate leadership
|demonstrate kindness
|demonstrate commitment
Themes
emotions
|character
|behavior
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He demonstrated great courage during the rescue.
- She has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills.
- The team demonstrated their determination to win.
Learner examples
- She demonstrated kindness to the new student.
- He demonstrated courage when he saved the dog.
- They demonstrated patience during the long wait.
Verb
B2
action
3
Take part in public protest
To join other people in a public protest to show your opinion about something.
Usage pattern:
to demonstrate against/for [cause]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'demonstrate' here with 'show' in a classroom sense; context of public protest is key.
Synonyms
protest (More common in everyday speech; 'demonstrate' is slightly more formal and official-sounding.)
Antonyms
support quietly (To agree with something without public protest.)
Collocations
demonstrate peacefully
|demonstrate against government policies
|demonstrate in support of workers
Themes
politics
|society
|law
Examples
- Thousands of people demonstrated against the new law.
- Workers demonstrated for higher wages.
- The students demonstrated in front of the city hall.
Learner examples
- Many people demonstrated against the war.
- They demonstrated for more jobs.
- Students demonstrated for free education.
Grammar
Dictionary form
demonstrate
IPA
GB/dˈɛmənstɹˌeɪt/
US/dˈɛmənstɹˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
demon - strate (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (demon)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: demonstrate
- 3rd Person Singular: demonstrates
- Present Participle: demonstrating
- Past: demonstrated
Word family
Forms
demonstrates
verb
demonstrating
verb
demonstrated
verb
Core family
demonstration
noun B1
demonstrator
noun B2
Related words
demonstrative
adjective
demonstrable
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
undemonstrative
adjective C1
Advanced or less common
demonstrably
adverb
Expressions
demonstrate against
1/dˈɛmənstɹˌeɪt əɡˈɛnst/
fixed phrase
Protest against something publicly
To take part in a public protest because you do not agree with something.
Examples
- Citizens gathered to demonstrate against the new tax.
- They plan to demonstrate against unfair working conditions.
demonstrate for
1/dˈɛmənstɹˌeɪt fɚ/
fixed phrase
Protest in support of something publicly
To take part in a public protest because you want to support something.
Examples
- Farmers are demonstrating for better prices.
- They demonstrated for human rights.