democrat

democrat — noun

1. a person who supports the idea that ordinary people should have the power to cho

1.nounB2
Definition

a person who supports the idea that ordinary people should have the power to choose their leaders through voting, and that everyone should have equal rights under the law.

Example

Sana is a committed democrat who believes that every voice matters in an election.

committed democrat + that-clause

The rally brought together democrats from countries across Asia and Africa.

plural: democrats from regions

Common collocations
  • true democrat
  • committed democrat
  • lifelong democrat
  • passionate democrat
  • democrat at heart
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • autocrat

    a ruler with absolute power; opposite political philosophy

  • dictator

    someone who rules alone without democratic consent

  • anti-democrat

    a person who opposes democratic principles

Grammar Patterns

a democrat who + verb

Usage Note

This sense is usually written in lowercase. It describes a person's political philosophy, not their party membership. Common modifiers include 'true', 'committed', and 'lifelong'.

Common Mistakes

A democrat country needs fair courts.
A democratic country needs fair courts.
'democrat' is a noun (person); 'democratic' is the adjective that describes a system or country.
Many people believe in democrat.
Many people believe in democracy.
'democrat' refers to a person; 'democracy' is the political system.
She is a democrat who believes in authoritarian rule.
She is a democrat who believes in voting rights and free speech.
A democrat, by definition, supports democratic values; the phrase contradicts itself.

2. a member of one of the two main political parties in the United States — the Dem

2.nounB1
Definition

a member of one of the two main political parties in the United States — the Democratic Party — or someone who votes for or supports its candidates and policies.

Example

Stefan has been a registered Democrat in Ohio for nearly twenty years.

registered Democrat + US state

The Democrat proposed a new law to make university tuition more affordable.

Democrat as subject of political action

Common collocations
  • registered Democrat
  • lifelong Democrat
  • liberal Democrat
  • conservative Democrat
  • Democrat from [state]
  • Democrat and Republican
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • Republican

    member or supporter of the other major US party

  • GOP member

    refers to the Republican Party ('Grand Old Party')

Grammar Patterns

a Democrat who + verb

Usage Note

In American English, this sense is usually capitalized (Democrat). It is used in contrast to Republican, the other major US political party. Outside the US, 'democrat' with a lowercase 'd' refers to sense 1.

Common Mistakes

The Democrat Party supports lower taxes.
The Democratic Party supports lower taxes.
The official name is 'Democratic Party', not 'Democrat Party'.
He is a democrat from Texas.' (when referring to US party membership)
He is a Democrat from Texas.
Capitalize when referring to the party.
All democrats believe in small government.
Not all Democrats agree on the size of government.
The US Democratic Party includes a range of views; avoid stereotyping.

Word family

  • democracy
    nounB1
  • democratic
    adjectiveB1
  • democratize
    verbC1
  • democratization
    nounC1
  • undemocratic
    adjectiveB2
  • pro-democracy
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

In US politics, a Democrat is a member or supporter of the Democratic Party, which generally leans left on social issues and favours a larger government role in healthcare and education. A Republican belongs to the opposing party, which tends to advocate for lower taxes and a smaller federal government. An independent is a voter not registered with any party. A liberal holds progressive views but may or may not be a Democrat — many liberals are Democrats, but not all Democrats consider themselves liberal, and some liberals are independents or Republicans. For example, a voter might say: 'I'm a Democrat but I would not call myself a liberal.' A Democrat running for office might appeal to both Democrats and independents to win an election.

Democrat ↗Republican ↗independent ↗liberal ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • fellow Democrat(s)
  • as a Democrat
  • register as a Democrat

Prepositions

  • from (a state/district)
  • in (a party/region)

Etymology

GreekFrenchEnglish

The word 'democrat' entered English in the late 1700s from French 'démocrate', which was formed from Greek roots: 'dēmos' meaning 'the people' and 'kratos' meaning 'power' or 'rule'. So a democrat is literally someone who believes that power should belong to the people. The political party name 'Democrat' came later, when the US Democratic Party adopted the label in the 1830s under President Andrew Jackson.