4 syllables: De, mo, crat, ic. Stress on crat.
dem-uh-KRAT-ik
/ˌdɛməˈkɹætɪk/
Democratic is pronounced dem-uh-KRAT-ik (/ˌdɛməˈkɹætɪk/). It has four syllables (De-mo-crat-ic), with the stress on "crat". Democratic is an adjective describing a system or principle that emphasizes citizen participation and equal rights in governance. It typically refers to government processes that are elected, transparent, and accountable, and often to political parties or movements advocating such principles. In usage, it can describe institutions, societies, or actions aligned with democracy.
adjectiveDemocratic is an adjective describing a system or principle that emphasizes citizen participation and equal rights in governance. It typically refers to government processes that are elected, transparent, and accountable, and often to political parties or movements advocating such principles. In usage, it can describe institutions, societies, or actions aligned with democracy.
"The country held a Democratic election with international observers overseeing fairness."
"Her views are deeply Democratic, prioritizing inclusive policymaking and civil liberties."
"The Democratic Party in the United States advocates for progressive reforms and social programs."
Democratic is pronounced /ˌdɛm.əˈkræt.ɪk/ (US) or /ˌdem.əˈkræt.ɪk/ (UK/AU). The primary stress is on CRAT, with a secondary stress on the first syllable in slower speech: dem-uh-CRAT-ic. Begin with a short, lax /d/ followed by a reduced /ə/ in the first syllable, then the stressed /ˈkræ/ as in cat. End with /ɪk/ quickly. Tip: think 'dem-uh-CRAT-ic' and keep the /æ/ clear in the stressed syllable.
Common errors include: misplacing the stress (trying to stress DEM-uh-CRAT-ic rather than CRAT), pronouncing /kræ/ as /kreɪ/ (like crave) or weakening the /æ/ in the stressed syllable to a schwa. Another frequent issue is tensing the final -ic to /-ɪk/ without smoothing the preceding /t/ and /ɪ/ into a quick, light ending. Correct these by practicing dem-uh-CRAT-ic with a clear, crisp /æ/ and a light, brief final /k/.
In US English, /ˌdɛm.əˈkræt.ɪk/ with rhoticity means the /r/ is not primary in the stressed syllable, but the 'kr' cluster is clear. UK and AU often have slightly shorter vowels and a more clipped final /ɪk/, with less rhotic influence; some UK speakers reduce /ə/ more in the second syllable, producing /ˌdɛm.əˈkræ.tɪk/ in faster speech. Overall, the core is the /ˈkræt/ stressed syllable, but vowel quality in the second syllable varies by accent.
The difficulty lies in the multi-syllabic rhythm and the stressed /ˈkræt/ sequence, where the /æ/ must be held clearly before a quick /t/ and /ɪk/. The second syllable uses a reduced schwa in natural speech, which can blur the rhythm if not enunciated. Also, the initial cluster /dɛm/ requires a short, precise /d/ followed by a light /ə/ before the prominent /kræt/. Mastering the balance of reduction and emphasis is key.
A unique angle: consider the interplay of syllables dem-uh-CRAT-ic. Focus on the tight /kræt/ cluster with a short, crisp /t/ before the final /ɪk/. Visualize the mouth positions: start with a relaxed front vowel /e/ in /dɛ/ before transitioning to the alveolar /kr/ with the tongue high and the lips neutral. This helps you avoid prolonging the /æ/ into the following consonants and keeps the rhythm accurate.
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US: rhotic, vowels tend to be longer in stressed syllables; US speakers may fully articulate the /r/ even when not in the stressed syllable, and /ɪ/ in -ic is often a short i. UK: less rhoticity, slightly shorter vowels, sharper consonant endings; AU: similar to UK but with subtle vowel quality shifts, especially in /ɪ/ and /æ/. IPA references: US /ˌdɛm.əˈkræt.ɪk/, UK /ˌdem.əˈkræt.ɪk/, AU /ˌdem.əˈkræt.ɪk/. Focus on keeping the /æ/ crisp in /ˈkræ/ and a light /k/ release. Vowel tuning: avoid over-reduction of the /æ/ in many speakers; maintain it as a distinct vowel before /t/.
Democratic traces its roots to the Greek word demos (people) combined with kratein (to rule). The term entered English via Late Latin democratia, from Middle French démocratie, ultimately from Classical Greek demokratia (dēmokratía), formed from dēmos (people) and kratos (rule). In ancient Greece, demokratia described a form of governance where eligible citizens participated in decision-making. The word evolved through medieval Latin and French into English by the 17th century, where it broadened to describe systems and ideologies advocating equal political participation and consent-based governance. Over time, “democratic” adapted from describing a system or process to characterizing values and practices (e.g., democratic norms, democratic reforms). The concept became central to modern political language, signaling legitimacy through popular participation and periodic, free elections. The term continues to expand in usage, applying to organizational governance, workplace democracy, and international institutions that emphasize inclusion and accountability.
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Words that rhyme with "Democratic"
-tic sounds
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