demand
noun (countable)
UK/dɪˈmɑːnd/US/dɪˈmænd/
The desire of consumers to purchase goods and services.
Example Sentences
The surge in consumer demand for electric vehicles has accelerated the development of new models.
During the holiday season, there is typically a high demand for toys and electronics.
Understanding market demand is crucial for businesses to plan their production and inventory.
The company's success is largely attributed to its ability to anticipate and meet customer demand.
Fluctuations in demand can significantly impact a company's revenue and profitability.
The demand for organic food products has grown as more people become health-conscious.
Government policies can influence the demand for renewable energy sources.
The introduction of a new smartphone model led to a spike in demand and long queues at retail stores.
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verb (transitive)
UK/dɪˈmɑːnd/US/dɪˈmænd/
To require something; to need or be necessary.
Example Sentences
The job demands a high level of expertise and dedication.
This project demands meticulous attention to detail to ensure its success.
The situation demands immediate action to prevent further complications.
Successful leadership demands strong communication and decision-making skills.
The role demands flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
Maintaining the equipment demands regular maintenance and monitoring.
The upcoming event demands thorough planning and coordination among all team members.
Effective time management demands prioritizing tasks and minimizing distractions.
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How to Use
An authoritative request or a strong need that must be fulfilled.As both a noun and a verb, “demand” carries a sense of pressing necessity or firm insistence. You might use it in economics, referring to how much consumers desire a product at certain price levels (e.g., “High demand for gaming consoles led to a sellout”). As a verb, it can imply a command-like request—“They demanded immediate payment”—or a strong expectation that someone deliver a service or result. In daily language, you might say, “My boss demands a quick response,” stressing urgency and authority. If you’re emphasizing an intense requirement, consider pairing “demand” with reasons or conditions (“The nature of the job demands strict attention to detail”). When writing or speaking formally, specifying who is demanding what and why helps listeners or readers grasp the urgency, authority level, or rationale behind the request or need.
Alternatives
If you’d like to vary your wording, consider alternatives like “require,” “insist,” or “call for.” “Require” places focus on necessity—“The task requires precision.” “Insist” highlights the forcefulness of a request—“He insisted on an immediate refund.” “Call for” can indicate a formal or broader need—“This situation calls for careful planning.” In economics, “need” or “desire” could soften the sense of urgency—“Consumer desire for the product remains high.” For a more casual tone, “ask for” might suffice—“She’s asking for a quick solution.” Meanwhile, “press for” underscores pushing for something—“They pressed for answers at the meeting.” By choosing a synonym that aligns with context—whether a formal authority, an economic concept, or everyday conversation—you keep language fresh and appropriately nuanced.
Writing
When writing, “demand” can introduce tension or highlight importance. You might say, “The public demanded transparency after the scandal,” showing collective insistence on accountability. In business or academic texts, “market demand” clarifies how consumers drive product supply. If you’re creating a narrative, a character “demanding justice” might accelerate conflict or define their role as resolute. Ensure context: detail who’s doing the demanding and what outcome they seek. If overused, synonyms like “require,” “insist,” or “call for” can maintain variety. In persuasive pieces, illustrating why something is in demand or must be addressed helps the reader see urgency—“Growing demand for clean energy is reshaping the industry.” Whether you’re illuminating consumer behavior, depicting a forceful plea, or showing an imperative need, “demand” underscores the forceful or critical nature of the request or requirement. Anchor it in real data, testimony, or emotion for stronger impact.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, you might use “demand” for comedic exaggeration—“I demand you hand over the last slice of pizza!”—though it’s often gentler to say “I’d like” or “I want.” Friends also discuss “the demands of the job,” implying it’s tough or time-consuming. If you sense you’re sounding harsh, switch to phrases like “I really need” or “I’m asking for.” People also talk about time demands—“My schedule is demanding lately,” meaning there’s a lot going on. In informal contexts, “demand” can still pop up to emphasize strong need or irritation—“My professor demands perfect formatting.” If repeating it feels stiff, slip in synonyms—“He insists,” “She requires,” or “That role calls for extra effort.” Day to day, keep an eye on tone: “demand” can come across as blunt or bossy, so consider your audience and whether you want to maintain an air of urgency or soften the request to sound more cooperative. “Ask for” might be more polite, but “demand” definitely conveys a do-or-die vibe that can be either comedic or serious, depending on context.
Etymology
The English “demand” traces to Old French “demander,” derived from the Latin “demandare,” meaning “to entrust” or “to require.” Its literal root suggests both giving a task to someone and asserting the necessity of its completion. Over time, it pivoted from “entrusting a duty” to “requiring something be done” or “asking forcefully,” particularly in legal or authoritative contexts. This lineage resonates in modern usage, bridging an older sense of assigning a responsibility with a more direct insistence on fulfilling it. Whether referring to a king demanding tribute centuries ago or a modern boss demanding results, the term carries the same weighty connotation of an urgent, binding requirement. In economics, “demand” similarly underscores necessity or strong desire in a market sense, signifying how consumer wants shape supply and pricing. Through these varied channels, “demand” continues to fuse the older notion of ‘entrusting a task’ with the present-day thrust of ‘insisting on or needing something urgently.’
