Demotic
adjective
Relating to the ordinary, everyday, current language of a people.
She switched from formal language to demotic language to better relate with the common people.
Often appears as...
- demotic script
- demotic language
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
adjective
Relating to the form of the ancient Egyptian language used after around 700BC.
The Rosetta Stone has inscriptions in three scripts, one of which is demotic.
Often appears as...
- demotic script
- demotic hieroglyphs
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
adjective
Relating to the ordinary, everyday, current language of a people.
She switched from formal language to demotic language to better relate with the common people.
Often appears as...
- demotic script
- demotic language
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
adjective
Relating to the form of the ancient Egyptian language used after around 700BC.
The Rosetta Stone has inscriptions in three scripts, one of which is demotic.
Often appears as...
- demotic script
- demotic hieroglyphs
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Everyday Language
Demotic describes language as it's spoken in daily life, not in formal settings or literature.
Her speeches were filled with demotic expressions that resonated with the audience.
Pro Tip 2/3Pop Culture
Demotic can refer to language influenced by mass media and pop culture, reflecting current trends.
The show's demotic dialogue mirrors the way young people really talk today.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Slang
Although informal, demotic is not necessarily slang; it's broadly understood, unlike some slang.
He writes in a demotic style that's informal yet clear to all readers.
Compare with
colloquialcommonplaceeverydayfamiliarformalwearordinarypopularvernacular
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Quote examples
Adrian McKinty
Irish Novelist
With a few notable exceptions, literary fiction in the U.K. is dominated by an upper and upper middle-class clique who usually have a tin ear for the demotic and who portray working-class characters with, at best, a benevolent condescension.
Quote examples
Adrian McKinty
Irish Novelist
With a few notable exceptions, literary fiction in the U.K. is dominated by an upper and upper middle-class clique who usually have a tin ear for the demotic and who portray working-class characters with, at best, a benevolent condescension.
Example 1 of 1
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