2 syllables: de, mo. Stress on de.
DEM-oh
/ˈdɛmoʊ/
demo is pronounced DEM-oh (/ˈdɛmoʊ/). It has two syllables (de-mo), with the stress on "de". A short, introductory demonstration of a product, service, or concept, typically shown to illustrate features or capabilities. In informal contexts, it can also mean a sample or test version. The term often implies a practical, experiential preview aimed at persuading or informing an audience.
A short, introductory demonstration of a product, service, or concept, typically shown to illustrate features or capabilities. In informal contexts, it can also mean a sample or test version. The term often implies a practical, experiential preview aimed at persuading or informing an audience.
"The software company released a live demo to showcase the new interface."
"We watched a hardware demo to understand how the gadget handles real tasks."
"Before buying, I asked for a product demo to see it in action."
Pronounce as two syllables: DEM-oh. Use IPA /ˈdɛm.oʊ/ (US) or /ˈdem.əʊ/ (UK/AU). Start with a stressed /d/ + short /e/ as in “bed,” then a clear /m/ and end with a long /oʊ/ sound. Keep the tongue at the alveolar ridge for the /d/ and /m/; the final vowel is a relaxed, rounded glide. Practice saying ‘dem’ quickly, then add a rounded long vowel: ‘oh.’ Audio reference: listen to productions labeled /ˈdɛm.oʊ/ in standard dictionaries.
Two frequent errors are pronouncing with only one syllable or blending the vowel to a schwa. Mispronouncing the final /oʊ/ as a short /o/ or /əʊ/ can also happen. To fix: clearly separate DEM and OH, emphasize the first syllable with a strong /d/ and /ɛm/, then glide into a long /oʊ/. Ensure your lips round slightly for the /oʊ/ and avoid a clipped, flat ending.
In US English, /ˈdɛm.oʊ/ with a prominent /oʊ/ and rhotic rhythm; the /r/ is not present, but the rhotic influence occurs in surrounding words. UK English tends toward /ˈdem.əʊ/ with a schwa-like middle vowel in some speakers, and a slightly less tense /oʊ/ quality. Australian English often mirrors US rhoticity but may exhibit a lighter vowel quality, sometimes closer to /ˈdɛm.əʊ/. Differences are subtle; core two-syllable rhythm remains consistent.
The challenge lies in balancing the two vowels in quick succession and maintaining a clean syllable boundary between /dɛm/ and /oʊ/. Some speakers shorten the second vowel or merge it with a schwa. Achieve clarity by maintaining a slight pause between syllables, enunciating /ɛm/ clearly, and ensuring a distinct, longer /oʊ/ glide. Mastery requires careful lip rounding for /oʊ/ and avoiding vowel reduction in the first syllable.
A key nuance is the length and quality of the final /oʊ/ glide and the clear onset of the first syllable. Some speakers, especially in rapid speech, reduce the second syllable to a softer vowel; to counter this, exaggerate the /oʊ/ a touch and finish with a rounded mouth. Also practice with surrounding words to keep the two-syllable rhythm: DEM-oh, not DEM-uh.
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US: rhotic, clear /r/ in surrounding context but not in demo itself; practice /ˈdɛm.oʊ/ with a strong first vowel. UK: /ˈdem.əʊ/, mid-central vowel in the middle and a slightly shorter second vowel; Australian: /ˈdɛm.oʊ/ or /ˈdem.əʊ/, often with a slightly higher tongue position for the middle vowel. Vowel lengths and diphthongs shift subtly; ensure lip rounding for /oʊ/ and keep the second vowel rounded but relaxed. Refer to IPA: US /ˈdɛm.oʊ/, UK /ˈdem.əʊ/, AU /ˈdɛm.oʊ/ or /ˈdem.əʊ/.
Demo originates from the abbreviation of the Latin phrase demonstrare, meaning “to demonstrate” or “to point out.” The English noun form emerged in the late 19th to early 20th century, initially used in scientific and academic contexts to denote a demonstration or model used to illustrate a principle. The term was popularized in consumer-oriented language during the mid-20th century with the advent of product demonstrations in retail and advertising. Over time, “demo” took on colloquial usage to describe any short, practical preview of a product or concept, often accompanied by an abbreviated version of the full product (e.g., a demo version of software). The word carries a sense of experiential clarity, oriented toward showing rather than just telling. First known uses appear in technical journals and sales literature, where teams described “demo” sessions to validate functionality and persuade stakeholders. The form is now ubiquitous across business, education, and entertainment, sometimes extended to “demo version” or “demo day” in startup ecosystems.
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Words that rhyme with "demo"
-oma sounds
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